Carcinoembryonic antigen. A useful monitor of therapy of small cell lung cancer

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Abstract
In 85 patients with small cell cancer of the lung, the degree of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) elevation correlated with the extent of disease. Normal CEA levels (< 2.5 ng/ml) occurred in 55% of patients with limited disease compared with 12% of patients with extensive disease. All patients with CEA levels > 50 ng/ml had liver involvement. Serial CEA levels were useful in monitor response to chemotherapy and in predicting relapse. All patients with CEA values > 5.0 ng/ml before start of treatment had a fall in CEA level with response to treatment and a rise in CEA level when resistance to chemotherapy developed. In patients with CEA levels of < 5.0 ng/ml at the start of treatment, rising values reflected the onset of recurrent disease in 10 of 21 patients who had relapses. The CEA levels used in conjunction with standard roentgenograms and organ scanning studies can aid in the initial staging of small cell cancer of the lung and in monitoring treatment.