Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Orthotopic Implantation and Peripheral Immune Cell Monitoring in the II-45 Syngeneic Rat Mesothelioma Model
Published on: October 2, 2015
Serum and pleural fluid levels of CA50 in malignant and tuberculous effusions
1Department of Internal Medicine, Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Railway Medical College, China.
Abstract:
The measurement of CA50 in serum and pleural fluid by immunoradiometric assay was presented in 45 (27 malignancy and 18 tuberculosis) patients with pleural effusion. The mean CA50 level in malignant effusion (89.26 +/- 122.32 U ml-1) was significantly higher than that in tuberculous effusion (5.18 +/- 8.65 U ml-1) (P < 0.001). CA50 levels of pleural fluid above an arbitrary level of 20 U ml-1 were found in 78% of malignant fluids and in 6% of tuberculous fluids. The serum CA50 value from 27 patients with malignant effusion (58.67 +/- 85.85 U ml-1) was also higher than that from 18 patients with tuberculous effusion (6.18 +/- 8.37 U ml-1) (P < 0.001). CA50 levels of serum above the same level were found in 58% of patients with malignant fluid and in 6% of patients with tuberculous fluid. The results suggested that the measurement of CA50 in pleural effusion may be helpful in the differential diagnosis between tuberculous and malignant effusions.
Related Concept Videos
Pulmonary Tuberculosis II
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis III
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...
Pleural Effusion I: Introduction
There are two main types of pleural effusion: transudative and exudative. They are differentiated using Light's criteria,...
Pleural Effusion II: Symptoms and Management
A pleural effusion is the abnormal collection of fluid between the parietal and visceral pleura layers of tissue that form the lining of the lungs and chest cavity. It can occur independently or due to surrounding parenchymal diseases, such as infection, malignancy, or inflammatory conditions.
Clinical Manifestations:
Tuberculosis

