Chronological change of serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) concentrations and pulmonary function data after cessation of smoking in subjects with smoking-associated CEA abnormality

We evaluated changes in serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), peripheral ne utrophil concentrations, and ratio of the forced expiratory volume in 1 s t o the forced vital capacity (FEV1%) values after cessation of smoking in su bjects with smoking-associated CEA abnormality (>5.0 ng/ml) (n=119). In all 25 subjects who gave up smoking (ex-smokers). CEA concentrations 1 year af ter the cessation decreased within the reference range and neutrophil conce ntrations were lower than those while smoking. However, both concentrations after 3 years were still higher than those who have never smoked (non-smok ers) (n=86). Average CEA and neutrophil concentrations in 94 subjects who c ontinued to smoke (smokers) were stable. There was no difference between ch ronological changes of FEV1% over 3 years in ex-smokers and in smokers. How ever, FEV1% values for 3 years in ex-smokers were lower than those in non-s mokers. These findings suggest that the ex-smokers who gave up smoking 3 ye ars ago are still affected by past smoking. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.