ABSTRACT
The diagnostic role of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in ascitic fluid was evaluated in order to assess whether or not ascitic haemorrhage is related to cancer. A total of 30 patients with ascitic haemorrhage were analysed (17 had cirrhosis, 5 non-metastasised cancers and 8 metastasised cancers). CEA radioimmunoassay was performed in serum and ascitic fluid. The results showed that CEA in the ascitic fluid highlighted a clear distinction between the average values of the 3 groups examined serum assay did not. Results were respectively: cirrhotic patients 6.11, non-metastasised cancers 38 and metastasised cancers 204.12. Ascitic fluid measurement revealed considerable variation, especially between the first and third groups examined (p = .00000004). Although CEA must be regarded as an aspecific laboratory test for malignancy, these results suggest that CEA determination in the ascitic fluid may be useful for screening patients with ascitic haemorrhage.