IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL DEMONSTRATION OF CARCINOEMBRYONIC ANTIGEN IN NORMAL, TRANSITIONAL AND INFLAMED COLONIC MUCOSA

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 2  (5) , 331-343
Abstract
Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) has been demonstrated immunocytochemically in normal [human] colorectal mucosa (resection margins of colonic carcinomas), in transitional mucosa (mucosa adjacent to carcinomas), in non-specific proctitis and colitis and in ulcerative colitis. In the resection margins and in non-specific proctitis and colitis, specific CEA staining is generally observed at the surface epithelium. In transitional mucosa, CEA staininig is most intense in branching crypts and at the base of the crypts. In ulcerative colitis, areas with regenerative activity as well as precancerous or cancerous specimens exhibit an intense CEA positive membrane staining. Colonic tissues with a high proliferative activity such as transitional mucosa and ulcerative colitis show a more intense CEA staining than normal colonic tissue. The staining pattern is different in proliferating tissues as compared to normal tissue. A pronounced membrane staining in ulcerative colitis indicates rather a high proliferative activity than cancer or precancer.