Carcinoembryonic Antigen Level in Serum and Pleural Lavage Fluid in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract

Background: This study evaluates the tumor marker index (TMI) based on carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in serum and pleural lavage fluid as a potential prognostic determinant for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and Methods: Three hundred and eighty-three consecutive NSCLC patients were reviewed retrospectively. Results: The 5-year survival of patients with normal and high serum CEA levels was 71.78 % and 51.38 %, respectively (p < 0.0001). The 5-year survival of patients with high CEA levels in pleural lavage fluid was 25.0 %, which was significantly poorer compared with that of patients with normal lavage CEA levels (78.23 %, p < 0.0001). There was a 5-year survival rate of 73.75 % in patients with a TMI less than or equal to 1.0 compared to a rate of only 55.12 % in patients with a TMI greater than 1.0 (p < 0.001). Both univariate and multivariate analyses indicated the independent prognostic impact of the TMI. Conclusions: The TMI based on serum and lavage CEA levels might be useful for predicting the prognosis of NSCLC patients.

Key words

thoracic surgery - lung cancer - CEA - survival - non‐small cell lung cancer

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