Expression of Oncofoetal Marker Carcino Embryonic Antigen in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Objective: Expression of the oncofoetal glycoprotein, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), has been extensively studied, particularly regarding its potential role as a marker of early cancer and as a prognostic indicator. CEA has been the hallmark of many neoplasms and has been observed in several malignancies and is also being pursued as a target for anticancer therapy. This study explored the status of this biochemical entity in the oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Method: The data analyzed in the current study relate to a total of 100 patients. Out of which 25 were in the control group and 75 were Patients presenting with stage I or Stage II tumors of the oral cavity. This study was conducted in MSRDC University Hospital in the Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and its associated satellite centers during Jan 2012 to June 2016. Only patients diagnosed with primary OSCC, previously untreated, presenting with tumours of oral cavity were included in the study. All samples were studied immunohistochemically. Result: The results showed that all samples in control group had negative CEA expression and CEA was expressed at an elevated level (60 out of 75 samples ie 80%) in majority of grade I and the grade II SCC. Conclusion: In Conclusion, Expression of CEA in elevated levels were noticed in majority of grade I and grade II OSCC. If the results from this study can be validated with a larger sample size, a role can be attributed to this tumour marker in oral neoplasia.