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One hundred ninety-one unselected fluid specimens submitted routinely for cytologic examination were assayed to determine whether the measurement of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in pleural effusions is useful in detecting malignancy. The mean +/- SD CEA level of 103 benign effusions was 4.1 +/- 2.9 ng/ml. Only one benign effusion had a level greater than 12 ng/ml (18 ng/ml). Benign inflammatory effusions (pneumonia, empyema) had a higher mean CEA activity (6.2 +/- 3.4) than effusions caused by congestive heart failure (2.9 +/- 1.5) (p less than 0.001). Twenty-four (34%) of 70 malignant effusions had a CEA level greater than 12 ng/ml, and 28 (40%) were "positive" by cytologic study. Thirty-eight (54%) were detected by one or both methods. Ten malignant effusions were positive by CEA (greater than 12 ng/ml) alone. These data suggest that the determination of CEA activity levels, when used in conjunction with other clinical findings, may be useful in detecting malignant pleural effusions.
R A Rittgers, and
M S Loewenstein, and
A E Feinerman, and
H Z Kupchik, and
B R Marcel, and
R S Koff, and
N Zamcheck
May 2013,
The international journal of tuberculosis and lung disease : the official journal of the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease,
R A Rittgers, and
M S Loewenstein, and
A E Feinerman, and
H Z Kupchik, and
B R Marcel, and
R S Koff, and
N Zamcheck
January 2012,
Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP,
R A Rittgers, and
M S Loewenstein, and
A E Feinerman, and
H Z Kupchik, and
B R Marcel, and
R S Koff, and
N Zamcheck
January 1981,
European journal of respiratory diseases,
R A Rittgers, and
M S Loewenstein, and
A E Feinerman, and
H Z Kupchik, and
B R Marcel, and
R S Koff, and
N Zamcheck
August 1978,
Lancet (London, England),
R A Rittgers, and
M S Loewenstein, and
A E Feinerman, and
H Z Kupchik, and
B R Marcel, and
R S Koff, and
N Zamcheck
November 1978,
Lancet (London, England),
R A Rittgers, and
M S Loewenstein, and
A E Feinerman, and
H Z Kupchik, and
B R Marcel, and
R S Koff, and
N Zamcheck
March 1984,
Cancer,
R A Rittgers, and
M S Loewenstein, and
A E Feinerman, and
H Z Kupchik, and
B R Marcel, and
R S Koff, and
N Zamcheck
April 1979,
Annals of internal medicine,
R A Rittgers, and
M S Loewenstein, and
A E Feinerman, and
H Z Kupchik, and
B R Marcel, and
R S Koff, and
N Zamcheck
March 1984,
Gastroenterologie clinique et biologique,
R A Rittgers, and
M S Loewenstein, and
A E Feinerman, and
H Z Kupchik, and
B R Marcel, and
R S Koff, and
N Zamcheck
January 1998,
British journal of cancer,
R A Rittgers, and
M S Loewenstein, and
A E Feinerman, and
H Z Kupchik, and
B R Marcel, and
R S Koff, and
N Zamcheck
September 1984,
Japanese journal of clinical oncology,
