The significance of carcinoembryogenic antigen (CEA) is assessed as a way to obtaining a better definition of neoplasia of the liver and bile ducts, and the spotting of possible malignant degeneration in chronic diseases of the liver. The literature data on involvement of the liver and bile ducts in CEA metabolism are cited, and the results of a study of 419 patients with acute and chronic diseases of varying aetiology and severity, and benign or malignant obstructive icterus are presented. CEA measurements, while associated with a tendency towards high values in liver diseases with major functional damage, do not seem to be differentiating for cirrhosis and Ca-cirrhosis, or between benign and malignant icterus. Dependable diagnosis, therefore, depends on the inclusion of CEA in a battery of tests to be coupled with appraisal of the individual clinical and instrumental findings.