Carcinoembryonic antigen in aqueous humor of patients with primary malignant choroidal melanoma.

Carcinoembryonic antigen levels were simultaneously determined in the aqueous humor and in the plasma of the 3 patients with primary choroidal malignant melanoma undergoing enucleation. An elevated carcinoembryonic antigen level was detected in the aqueous humor of 1 patient with no increase in plasma CEA level. In the other 2 patients no such elevation was found. A local increase of CEA levels produced by the tumor is likely to occur. Further studies are required of CEA levels of patients with primary malignant choroidal melanoma as an aid in diagnosis and treatment of this condition.