Carcinoembryonic antigen and breast carcinoma antigen (CA 15.3) in preoperative staging and postoperative monitoring of patients with carcinoma of the breast.

Serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and breast carcinoma antigen (CA 15.3) were determined in patients with breast carcinoma: in 129 before initial surgical or nonsurgical treatment and in 134 afterwards. Before any initial treatment, CEA was elevated in 15% of patients with Stage IV disease and CA 15.