title: A joint detection of CEA and CA-50 levels in saliva and serum of patients with tumors in oral region and salivary gland.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To detect the levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carcinoma associated antigen CA-50 in the patients with oral or salivary malignant tumors.
  
  
  METHODS
  The concentrations of salivary CEA and CA-50 were assayed in 80 patients of oral and salivary malignant tumors, 40 patients of benign tumors and 80 health controls. In 80 patients with malignant tumors, serum CEA and CA-50 were also assayed by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay and immunoradiometric analysis, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Salivary CEA and CA-50 levels were significantly higher in malignant tumors than in benign tumors and in health controls, respectively (P < 0.001). Only 7 cases and 3 cases of 80 patients with malignant tumors were found having increased serum CEA and CA-50 levels, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The measurement of CEA and CA-50 levels in saliva were more sensitive than in serum. This may be more useful as prognostic indicators in early diagnosis of oral and salivary malignant tumors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Medicine School, Zhejiang University, 310009 Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Guanfu
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Yanmin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu