Carcinoembryonic antigen localization in benign and malignant transitional epithelium.

Transitional epithelium from 30 cases, including transitional cell carcinoma of various grades and stages, carcinoma in situ, cystitis cystica, and glandularis, as well as normal bladder epithelium, was studied for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) content by the immunoperoxidase technique. The results indicate that CEA is present in normal transitional epithelium and that its level frequently decreases in transitional cell carcinoma. These results are related to the findings in studies of urinary CEA excretion.