Radioimmunological and immunohistochemical study of carcinoembryonic antigen in pleomorphic adenoma and mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the salivary glands.

The aim of the present study was the evaluation of CEA-radio-immunoassay and CEA-immunohistochemistry in the management of pleomorphic adenoma and mucoepidermoid carcinoma of salivary glands. 23 pleomorphic adenomas, 9 mucoepidermoid carcinomas, and 7 normal salivary glands were examined. CEA-concentration in serum and saliva were assayed before and after surgery. Polyclonal CEA antibody was used for immunohistochemical CEA detection in the tumor tissue and in the normal salivary glands. The mean CEA concentrations were found to be 14.94 ng/ml in the serum and 216.67 ng/ml in the saliva of patients with mucoepidermoid carcinoma. These values were considerably higher compared to healthy controls (188.64 ng/ml in saliva) and in patients with pleomorphic adenoma - 7.65 ng/ml in serum and 189.35 ng/ml in saliva (P < 0.001). A correlation was found between high CEA concentration in the saliva and the intensity of CEA expression in the tumour tissue. An increased synthesis and secretion of CEA was determined by the prevalence of tubular structures, a high proliferative activity in pleomorphic adenoma, and its malignant transformation.