The value of carcinoembryonic antigen in patients with carcinoma of the lung.

Carcinoembryonic antigen levels in 682 lung cancer patients have been studied in order to assess their value in the screening of high-risk populations, monitoring total surgical ablation and projecting the effectiveness of therapy. The initial values are shown to be related to the histology of the tumor and to the extent of the disease. All histologic types of lung cancer produce elevated CEA but adenocarcinoma characteristically produces higher values than small, large or squamous cell carcinomas. CEA has its most precise value in distinguishing at an early date cured patients subsequent to surgical resection from those patients who will eventually fail because of recurrent disease.