Carcinoembryonic antigen gradients between plasma and malignant ascites: use in detecting peritoneal and liver metastases
Loewenstein, M.S.; Rittgers, R.A.; Kupchik, H.Z.; Zamcheck, N.
Journal of the National Cancer Institute 66(5): 803-806
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0027-8874 PMID: 6939926 Document Number: 176687
In the study of 19 patients with malignant ascites and elevated plasma carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) (greater than 2.5 ng/ml) and/or ascites CEA (greater than 10 ng/ml), two patients emerged: 1) The 10 patients with higher ascitic fluid than plasma CEA levels (medians: 230 and 10.6 ng/ml, respectively) had exudates and intraperitoneal cancer but usually had no hepatic metastases. 2) The 9 patients with lower ascitic fluid than plasma CEA levels (medians: 29 and 140 ng/ml, respectively) had transudates and negative cytology examinations but did have demonstrable liver metastases. Determination of ascitic fluid and plasma CEA gradients in patients with malignant ascites may help localize, with potentially therapeutic importance, the site of metastases.