[Value of determining the concentration of carcinoembryonic antigen in bronchial lavage for diagnosis of lung cancer].

CEA levels were measured in bronchial lavage in 84 patients with endobronchial lung cancer, undergoing diagnostic bronchoscopy. The control group consisted of 94 patients with nonmalignant lung disease, in whom bronchoalveolar lavage was performed. In both groups of patients 100 ml of normal saline solution was used during the lavage procedure. CEA levels in lavage fluid and in serum were determined with polyclonal (CEA-RIA) and monoclonal antibodies (CEA-EIA). Significantly increased CEA levels in lavage fluid were observed in patients with lung cancer (97.4 +/- 56.4 ng/ml) in comparison to the patients with nonmalignant lung disease (4.2 +/- 6.3 ng/ml). Patients with lung cancer had CEA levels in lavage fluid about 30 times higher than in serum. Determination of CEA levels in bronchial lavage can be a useful additional diagnostic method in patients with lung cancer.