Diagnostic value of cyfra 21-1 and carcinoembryonic antigen in differentiation between benign and malignant pleural effusion

BackgroundTumor markers were used in malignant pleural effusion with negative cytology.Aim of the workThe aim was to assess the value of serum and pleural levels of cyfra 21-1 (fragment of cytokeratin 19) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in the diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion.Patients and methodsThis study was conducted on 48 patients divided into group I (benign effusion) and group II (malignant effusion). Chest X-ray P.A view, pleural fluid analysis and measurement of serum and pleural levels of CEA and cyfra 21-1 were done.ResultsSerum and pleural levels of cyfra 21-1 and CEA were significantly increased in the malignant group and compared to other groups. Sensitivities of cyfra 21-1 and CEA in serum were 90.4 and 90.5 and in pleural fluid were 94.7 and 92.6, the specificities of cyfra 21-1 and CEA in serum were 86.9 and 83.5 and in pleural fluid were 89.3 and 85.8 but sensitivity of both cyfra 21-1 and CEA in serum and pleural fluid was 100 and specificities in serum and pleural fluid were 92.86 and 96.43.ConclusionMeasurement of cyfra 21-1 and CEA in serum and pleural fluid is helpful in differentiation between benign and malignant pleural effusions.