title: Combined effusion fluid tumor marker assay, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), in the detection of malignant tumors.
abstract: Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and protein concentrations were determined on 81 random pleural and ascitic effusions submitted for cytologic examination. CEA and hCG assay results were expressed as direct concentrations and with respect to total protein concentration. Levels of significance for malignant fluids were established as follows: CEA greater than or equal to 10 ng/ml, hCG greater than or equal to 10 mIU/ml, CEA greater than 500 ng/g protein, hCG greater than or equal to 500 mIU/g protein. Clinical follow-up demonstrated 55 fluids associated with coexisting malignant tumors and 26 fluids not associated with malignancies. This study suggests effusion fluid CEA and hCG assay may provide a useful adjunct to cytology in the evaluation of effusion fluids for malignancy. Assay results, furthermore, may be more accurately expressed with respect to effusion protein concentration.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000368:Aged; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000032:analysis*; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000032:analysis*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin