The Significance of Elevation of Serum Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) Levels in Inflammatory Diseases of the Intestine

Abstract

Booth, S. N., King, J. P. G., Leonard, J. C. & Dykes, P. W. The significance of elevation of serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in inflammatory diseases of the intestine. Scand. J. Gastroent. 1974, 9, 651–656.Serial CEA measurements have been made in 133 patients with ulcerative colitis and in 139 patients with Crohn’s disease and elevated levels were seen in 9% and 22% respectively. There did not appear to be any real relationship to the extent of the disease, but transient elevations were seen during exacerbations and persistent elevations in long standing Crohn’s disease. In three patients CEA elevation was associated with coexistent liver disease and in one with bacterial contamination of the small bowel. Two patients with ulcerative colitis developed a complicating carcinoma and both had normal CEA levels. It is concluded that CEA estimation is unlikely to be of value as a screening test for the detection of carcinoma in ulcerative colitis. Furthermore, positive results in inflammatory states tend to detract from the value of the CEA test as an adjunct to cancer diagnosis.