The diagnosis of pleural effusions—Are cancer markers clinically helpful?

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Abstract
We submitted 83 consecutive patients with pleural effusion to routine clinical investigation; 57 were diagnosed as malignant, 18 as benign, and 8 were not diagnosed. Pleural fluid and serum were analysed for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), acid glycoprotein (AGP), antichymotrypsin (ACT), C‐reactive protein (CRP), α2‐pregnancy associated glyco protein (α2‐PAG) and ferritin. Multivariate discriminant analysis was performed on the results of the protein measurements. CEA and ACT values in serum and fluid were found to give a good discriminating function between the benign and malignant groups. The use of such an analysis, in a clinical context, is discussed.