[Direct radioimmunological determination of plasma CEA in 1704 patients]

An original technique for the direct radioimmunological measurement of plasma CEA has been prepared. Compared to the other in use, this has the advantage of a very low incidence of false positivity. 1704 patients make up the series: the percentage of positivity in 247 suffering from gastroenteric adenocarcinoma was 66.8%, in 60 with lung cancer 30%, in 243 with malignant tumours in various sites 7.4%, in 199 with chronic liver diseases 29.6% while in 598 cases of other non-neoplastic diseases it was only 2.5%. 212 patients who underwent radical surgery for gastroenteric adenocarcinoma were also followed up and the test provided early diagnosis of the clinical re-onset of the neoplastic lesion. It is considered that plasma CEA measurement represents a useful aid to the clinician althouth it cannot be employed at present to screen gastroenteric adenocarcinomas.