CEA immunoreactivity in odontogenic tumors and keratocysts

Forty-five oral tumors and cysts were stained immunohistochemically for the presence of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). CEA, or a CEA-like antigen that is not nonspecific cross-reacting antigen (NCA), was demonstrated in the majority of aggressive or malignant tumors showing squamous differentiation, including cases of ameloblastoma, odontogenic carcinoma, and squamous carcinoma. CEA immunoreactivity was also found in cases of odontogenic keratocyst and focally in squamous odontogenic tumors but was not found in any of the ameloblastic fibromas, myxofibromas, odontogenic adenomatoid tumors, malignant melanomas, or apical cysts.