Quantitative tissue carcinoembryonic antigen (T CEA) assay as a screening test for severe dysplasia in colorectal adenomas

Relationship between the serum (S CEA) and the tissue (T CEA) carcinoembryo nic antigen concentrations with regard to the degree of dysplasia in colore ctal adenomas was investigated. Our study included 56 single or multiple co lorectal adenomas in 46 patients. The measurements of T CEA concentrations were performed using the quantitative CEA-EIA method (Abbott) modified for wet tissue, obtained from heads of the adenomas. As a control point the muc osa near adenoma and the rectal mucosa were used. Our results suggest that the T CEA concentrations from the head of the adenoma demonstrate a highly significant difference between mild and severe dysplasia (P < 0.001), betwe en mild dysplasia and invasive adenocarcinoma (P < 0.001) and a significant difference between mild and moderate dysplasia (P < 0.05). On the other ha nd, the S CEA concentrations corresponding to these cases showed no such di fferences. In conclusion, we suggest the quantitative measurement of T CEA concentrations as a screening test for severe dysplasia in colorectal adeno mas.