Carcinoembryonic Antigen in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid

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Abstract
To the Editor: It has been stated that the blood levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) are correlated with the clinical evolution of bronchogenic carcinoma.1 Assays of CEA in pleural effusions and bronchial secretions have also been proposed as diagnostic procedures.2 , 3 We report on a comparative study of the CEA levels in the blood and in the liquid obtained from bronchoalveolar lavage in four groups (81 patients) by means of an immunoenzymatic assay technique (CEA-EIA, Abbott). All patients underwent lavage with 150 ml of physiologic saline. Group 1 consisted of 12 normal volunteers, 21 to 68 years old. Group 2 consisted . . .