BACKGROUND: Controversy exists regarding the relationship between serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level and T status in non-small cell lung cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and forty-seven lung cancer patients with pN0 disease were included in the study and the relationship between serum CEA level and T status, tumor size and degree of local extension was investigated. RESULTS: Patients with tumors 0 to 1.5 cm in diameter had significantly low serum CEA level. However, there were no significant differences in serum CEA level among other tumor size groups. Serum CEA level was not related to the degree of local extension. The 5-year survival of patients with both normal serum CEA levels and T1 disease was significantly better than that of patients with high serum CEA level and 72-4 disease. CONCLUSION: Serum CEA levels do not always relate to T status. The combined use of these factors might be useful in predicting the prognosis of pN0 non-small cell lung cancer patients.
BACKGROUND: Controversy exists regarding the relationship between serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level and T status in non-small cell lung cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and forty-seven lung cancerpatients with pN0 disease were included in the study and the relationship between serum CEA level and T status, tumor size and degree of local extension was investigated. RESULTS:Patients with tumors 0 to 1.5 cm in diameter had significantly low serum CEA level. However, there were no significant differences in serum CEA level among other tumor size groups. Serum CEA level was not related to the degree of local extension. The 5-year survival of patients with both normal serum CEA levels and T1 disease was significantly better than that of patients with high serum CEA level and 72-4 disease. CONCLUSION: Serum CEA levels do not always relate to T status. The combined use of these factors might be useful in predicting the prognosis of pN0 non-small cell lung cancerpatients.