[Tumor antigens in the diagnosis of gastroenterological diseases (author's transl)]

Abstract

History, biochemical properties, techniques and normal range of carcino-embryonic proteins and their applications in clinical diagnosis are reviewed in detail. The importance of alpha1-fetoprotein, colon embryonic antigen, fetal sulfoglycoprotein, alpha2H-globulin and Regan-isoenzyme of alkaline phosphatase is discussed for carcinomas of the gastrointestinal tract, other malignant tumors and benign gastroenterological diseases. The results of prospective studies in cancer high risk patients and the indications for the determination of carcino-embryonic proteins in gastroenterology were described.