Self Instructional Manual for Cancer Registrars - SEER - National ...

Totalprotein. This test measures the amount of total circulating protein (albumin and
globulin) in the patient's blood serum. It is elevated in multiple myeloma. Low total
protein (low level of albumin) is associated with pleural effusion and ascites. Normal values
are 6.0-8.0 gm/100 ml.
LDH (Loctic acid dehydrogenase). LDH is an intracellular enzyme which occurs in
many body ceils. An elevated LDH is indicative of increased cell destruction, possibly from
metastatic spread of cancer. Normal values are 60-100 la/ml.
SGOT (Serum Glutarnic-oxalacetic-transaminase). This is an enzyme which is
specifically manufactured in the liver. It is elevated when the liver does not function
normally. Normal values are 10-40 tz/ml.
CEA (Carcino-embryonic-antigen). This term was first used in 1965 to describe a
glyco-protein which is present in extracts of carcinoma cells. An elevated CEA may be
indicative of cancer of the gastrointestinal tract and, occasionally of the breast, lungs, and
female genital system. When the entire malignancy is removed, the CEA level may drop;
it may rise when recurrence or metastasis develops. Normal values are 0-2.5 mg/ml.
However, CEA titers less than 2.5 mg/ml are not proof of the absence of malignant disease.
Normal values do not apply if the patient is a smoker.
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