title: Diagnostic value of tumoral markers in serous effusions: carcinoembryonic antigen, alpha1-acidglycoprotein, alpha-fetoprotein, phosphohexose isomerase, and beta 2-microglobulin.
abstract: In order to discriminate between benign and malignant effusions, the value of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), alpha 1-acidglycoprotein (AGP), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), phosphohexose isomerase (PHI), and beta 2-microglobulin (B2M) has been estimated in serous effusions in a group of 106 patients, 30 with a malignant and 76 with a benign effusion. Mean CEA and AGP levels in malignant effusions were significantly higher than in benign effusions; no significant differences of mean PHI, AFP and B2M levels of benign and malignant effusions were found. CEA level estimations were useful for confirming malignancy in 27% of malignant effusions but in only 7.5% of all effusions, and AGP and PHI for excluding it in 37.5 and 36.0% of all effusions, respectively. With the combination of CEA with AGP or PHI, a correct diagnosis was achieved in only 45 and 44% of all effusions, respectively. The combination of AFP or B2M with CEA, AGP or PHI did not improve the discriminative value for differentiating malignant and benign effusions.
mesh_terms: D001201:Ascites / Q000209:etiology*; D001609:Beta-Globulins / Q000032:analysis*; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D005956:Glucose-6-Phosphate Isomerase / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D009961:Orosomucoid / Q000032:analysis*; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000209:etiology*; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis*; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D001609:Beta-Globulins; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D009961:Orosomucoid; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; D005956:Glucose-6-Phosphate Isomerase