Elevated carcinoembryonic antigen levels correlating with disease recurrence in a patient with adenoid cystic carcinoma

• Published in: Head & neck Vol. 17; no. 5; p. 431
• Main Authors: Kuhel, W I, Chow, H, Godwin, T A, Minick, C R, Libby, D M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.09.1995
• Subjects: Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - therapeutic use; Carcinoembryonic Antigen - blood; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic - blood; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic - pathology; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic - therapy; Combined Modality Therapy; Fatal Outcome; Female; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Intestinal Neoplasms - blood; Intestinal Neoplasms - drug therapy; Intestinal Neoplasms - secondary; Lung Neoplasms - blood; Lung Neoplasms - drug therapy; Lung Neoplasms - secondary; Middle Aged; Sensitivity and Specificity; Tracheal Neoplasms - blood; Tracheal Neoplasms - pathology; Tracheal Neoplasms - therapy
• ISSN: 1043-3074
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.2880170514

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is an oncofetal glycoprotein involved in cell recognition and adhesion. Serum CEA has been extensively studied as a potential chemical marker for malignancy, most notably in patients with colon carcinoma. Serum CEA measurements have not been reported for patients with salivary gland carcinomas. Serum CEA was measured in a case study using enzyme immunoassay with monoclonal antibody specific for CEA. Tissue was examined with standard histologic and immunohistologic methods. A patient was initially seen with adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the trachea and had a markedly elevated serum CEA level which declined after surgical resection. The serum CEA level became elevated again when the patient developed abdominal metastases and then declined after debulking of the tumor. Immunohistochemical study of the tumor was positive for CEA. The measurement of serum CEA levels may play a role in the management of patients with ACC. Clinical investigation utilizing monoclonal antibodies against CEA, for imaging and for the delivery of chemotherapy and radiotherapy may be worthwhile.