[Clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical studies of squamous cell carcinomas of the oral mucosa and the prolabium].

In diagnosing and monitoring squamous cell carcinomas of the oral mucosa and the prolabium the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a frequently used tumor marker. In a pilot study six of these carcinomas with established pathological serum levels of CEA were clinically analyzed and immunohistochemically examined for the tumor antigens CEA and, in addition, TPA (tissue polypeptide antigen). Only in one case could a positive CEA reaction be found. In the same tumors TPA could not be demonstrated. It is concluded from these results that elevated CEA serum levels are no tumor specific reactions and that the use of this tumor marker is to be considered with criticism.