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Medullary thyroid carcinoma presenting with an initial CEA elevation
Author(s) -
Abraham Deepak,
Delbridge Leigh,
CliftonBligh Roderick,
CliftonBligh Phillip,
Grodski Simon,
Robinson Bruce G.,
Messina Marinella,
Sidhu Stan
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
anz journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.426
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 1445-1433
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-2197.2010.05350.x
Subject(s) - medicine , carcinoembryonic antigen , malignancy , gastrointestinal tract , medullary thyroid cancer , gastrointestinal cancer , thyroid , medullary cavity , thyroid cancer , pathology , gastroenterology , thyroid carcinoma , medullary carcinoma , cancer , oncology , colorectal cancer
Background: Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a tumour marker commonly associated with gastrointestinal malignancy. Patients presenting with an elevated CEA will therefore often undergo extensive investigations in order to elucidate an underlying gastrointestinal malignancy that may not be clinically apparent. However the GI tract is not the only source of CEA elevation. Methods: We present a series of patients presenting with raised CEA levels that were initially investigated for a gastrointestinal cause, but after work up were detected to have medullary thyroid cancer. Results: Four patients with raised CEA were evaluated for a gastrointestinal cause for the elevation. We discuss the non gastrointestinal causes for an elevated CEA. Conclusion: The paper highlights that in patients presenting with an elevated CEA, in whom a gastrointestinal cause has been ruled out, a tumour of neuroendocrine origin needs to be considered as a cause for the elevated CEA.