[Detection of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in cervico-vaginal irrigation fluids]

CEA estimations are effected in serum samples and in cervico vaginal fluids (n = 144) of patients with cervical condylomas, cytological undecided and cytological positive findings and in follow up performed histology. 21 healthy women were used as a control group. For taking cervico-vaginal fluids 5 ml isotonic NaCl solution were instilled in the fornix vaginae. After that 5 ml of the solution mixed with cervico vaginal fluids were aspirated. A polyclonal anti-CEA-antiserum was applied to radioimmunoassay. Remarkable high concentrations were found in cervico vaginal fluids compared with serum values. (Table: see text). In cases of cervical condylomas and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia significant increased CEA levels were determined in fluids compared with the control group. These results must be seen in consideration that the local CEA concentrations are scattered over a brand range. Regarding to CEA serum concentrations only slight increased values were found in cases of CIN I/II. (table; see text) Therefore CEA-serum estimations are not a diagnostic tool in CIN. The normal range of 10 micrograms/l was exceeded in only one sample of CIN II.