Fetal antigens in retinoblastoma

Abstract

Plasma carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and alpha fetoprotein (AFP) levels were studied in five patients with retinoblastoma. CEA and A F P were f o u n d elevated in four of five patients prior t o therapy. Following enucleation and/or radiation therapy, the elevated values were significantly lowered. This preliminary study suggests t h a t CEA and A F P levels may be of value in the diagnosis of retinoblastoma, and t h a t serial CEA levels may be useful in evaluation of retinoblastoma patients after treatment.

Significance of carcinoembryonic antigen in retinoblastoma.

“…Therefore the serum CEA level itself was not a significant diagnostic marker for retinoblastoma. Michelson et al 3 have made a similar observation. This limitation of the diagnostic value of the serum CEA may not be unique for retinoblastoma, since other investigators have also observed that some of the diagnosed malignant neoplastic conditions might be associated with normal serum CEA values.…”

“…Moreover by immunohistochemical techniques CEA could be demonstrated neither in the tumour tissue nor in culture media of the retinoblastoma tumour tissue. 3 Although, apparently, CEA may not be produced by the tumour, it is possible that the release of a chemical mediator from the tumour may diffuse into the circulation and so stimulate the synthesis of CEA in other target organs.3 Even with this possibility, the tumour bulk may be controlling the synthesis of CEA indirectly through the controlled production of the chemical mediator.…”

Significance of carcinoembryonic antigen in retinoblastoma.

“…Therefore the serum CEA level itself was not a significant diagnostic marker for retinoblastoma. Michelson et al 3 have made a similar observation. This limitation of the diagnostic value of the serum CEA may not be unique for retinoblastoma, since other investigators have also observed that some of the diagnosed malignant neoplastic conditions might be associated with normal serum CEA values.…”

“…Moreover by immunohistochemical techniques CEA could be demonstrated neither in the tumour tissue nor in culture media of the retinoblastoma tumour tissue. 3 Although, apparently, CEA may not be produced by the tumour, it is possible that the release of a chemical mediator from the tumour may diffuse into the circulation and so stimulate the synthesis of CEA in other target organs.3 Even with this possibility, the tumour bulk may be controlling the synthesis of CEA indirectly through the controlled production of the chemical mediator.…”

Significance of carcinoembryonic antigen in retinoblastoma.

“…Therefore the serum CEA level itself was not a significant diagnostic marker for retinoblastoma. Michelson et al 3 have made a similar observation. This limitation of the diagnostic value of the serum CEA may not be unique for retinoblastoma, since other investigators have also observed that some of the diagnosed malignant neoplastic conditions might be associated with normal serum CEA values.…”

“…Moreover by immunohistochemical techniques CEA could be demonstrated neither in the tumour tissue nor in culture media of the retinoblastoma tumour tissue. 3 Although, apparently, CEA may not be produced by the tumour, it is possible that the release of a chemical mediator from the tumour may diffuse into the circulation and so stimulate the synthesis of CEA in other target organs.3 Even with this possibility, the tumour bulk may be controlling the synthesis of CEA indirectly through the controlled production of the chemical mediator.…”

Significance of carcinoembryonic antigen in retinoblastoma.

“…Therefore the serum CEA level itself was not a significant diagnostic marker for retinoblastoma. Michelson et al 3 have made a similar observation. This limitation of the diagnostic value of the serum CEA may not be unique for retinoblastoma, since other investigators have also observed that some of the diagnosed malignant neoplastic conditions might be associated with normal serum CEA values.…”

“…Moreover by immunohistochemical techniques CEA could be demonstrated neither in the tumour tissue nor in culture media of the retinoblastoma tumour tissue. 3 Although, apparently, CEA may not be produced by the tumour, it is possible that the release of a chemical mediator from the tumour may diffuse into the circulation and so stimulate the synthesis of CEA in other target organs.3 Even with this possibility, the tumour bulk may be controlling the synthesis of CEA indirectly through the controlled production of the chemical mediator.…”