Bronchial Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma with High Serum Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) levels : Report of Two Cases

Abstract

Clinical courses of two patients with bronchial mucoepidermoid carcinoma were reported in relation to serum CEA levels. The first case was a symptomatic 55-year-old woman with a left hilar mass on chest X-ray films, endobronchial tumor on bronchoscopy, and a high serum CEA level. Exploratory thoracotomy revealed tumor infiltration to the posterior chest wall. Transbronchial and open lung biopsy specimens showed bronchial mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Her serum CEA levels temporarily normalized with tumor regression due to radiotherapy, but subsequently increased gradually as the tumor regrew. The second case was an asymptomatic 62-year-old woman with a coin lesion in the right lower lobe, and a high serum CEA level. Right lower lobectomy revealed mucoepidermoid carcinoma of anterior basal segment, and serum CEA levels became normal.