Carcino-embryonic antigen--no help with the differential diagnosis.
Two patients who were referred because of an increase in serum carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) were diagnosed after a number of years as having a medullary thyroid carcinoma. The relationship between CEA and medullary thyroid carcinoma is discussed. The serum level of CEA is neither sensitive nor specific enough to serve as a diagnostic tool. Its determination, however, is useful in the follow-up of patients with carcinoma of the breast, colo-rectal carcinoma and medullary thyroid carcinoma.
Cobben-Beld
E G
EG
Department of Internal Medicine, Eemland Hospital, Amersfoort, Netherlands.
Nortier
J W
JW
Kramer
W L
WL
van de Wiel
A
A
Rodenburg
C J
CJ
D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D018276:Carcinoma, Medullary / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen