Value of serum CEA and AFP in the diagnosis and prognosis of carcinoma gallbladder.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: The poor prognosis of carcinoma of the gallbladder (CAGB) is attributable to delayed presentation in the absence of specific clinical findings in the early stages. To ascertain whether the commonly available serum tumour markers (carcino-embryonic antigen-CEA and alpha foeto protein-AFP) could be used for distinguishing CAGB from other biliary disorders and in assessing the prognosis of patients with CAGB, serum levels of these markers in patients with CAGB and those with cholelithiasis were studied. METHODS: Estimation of serum CEA in 28 patients with CAGB and 30 patients with cholelithiasis and AFP in some of these cases was done by enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: The mean values of CEA and AFP were 15.1 ng/ml and 166.5 ng/ml respectively for the CAGB group and 12.6 ng/ml and 166.5 ng/ml respectively for the cholelithiasis group. There was no statistical difference between the groups (p > 0.05). These markers did not show any statistically significant correlation with the stage of disease or length of survival in the patients with CAGB. CONCLUSION: Serum levels of CEA and AFP do not have any diagnostic or prognostic significance in the management of CAGB.