Clinical Significance Of Determining Carcinoembryonic Antigen And Cancer Antigen 19-9 In The Differential Diagnosis Of Benign And Malignant Pleural Effusions.

Objective To study the clinical significance of determining carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cancer antigen 19-9(CA19-9) in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant pleural effusions. Methods Pleural effusion CEA and CA19-9 were determined in 172 patients with malignant pleural effusion and 149 patients with benign pleural effusion by ELISA method and analyzed their diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. Results With pleural effusion ≥ 5ng/ml, ≥15ng/ml,≥20ng/ml, ≥30ng/ml, ≥40ng/ml and ≥60ng/ml as positive judgment standar. The sensitivity respectively was 59.88%, 47.67%, 46.51%, 40.70%, 38.37% and 32.56%. Specificity of CEA was respectively 86.58%, 93.96%, 94.63%, 96.64%, 98.66% and 98.66%. With pleural effusion CA19-9≥37U/ml as positive judgment standard the sensitivity and specificity was 28.22% and 95.95%. Conclusion Determination of CEA and CA19-9 plays an important role in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant pleural effusion.