Diagnostic efficacy of broncho-alveolar lavage carcino-embronic antigen in carcinoma of lung.

CONTEXT

Biomarkers can be used for screening lung cancer and the clinician can decide for further invasive workup for diagnosis.

AIMS

To know the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in Broncho Alveolar Lavage Fluid (BALF) and serum of bronchogenic carcinoma.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

Case-Control study was conducted in the Medical College Hospital during a period of 2 years.

METHODS AND MATERIAL

We randomly selected 50 cases and 50 controls subjects. Cases were the patients with proven malignancy by biopsy or cytology, and controls were other non-malignant pulmonary diseases. All patients' CEA of Broncho Alveolar Lavage Fluid and serum was done.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

The mean and receiver operating curve were done for CEA of serum and BAL fluid, and based on the cut-off values, sensitivity and specificity were calculated.

RESULTS

Mean value of CEA in both BALF and serum in non-smoker patients of the malignant lesion was significantly higher than the non-malignant lesion. Mean value of CEA in both BALF and serum in smoker patients of the malignant lesion was higher than the benign lesion, but statistically not significant. The cut-off value for Serum CEA is 1μg/l, whereas for BALF CEA is 2μg/l. Sensitivity, specificity of CEA of Serum and BALF combined were 92% and 62% respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Determination of CEA in the BALF and serum may be helpful as a screening tool for further workup for malignancy.