[Carcinoembryonic antigen (C.E.A.). Its value in the care of malignant tumours of the ovary (author's transl)].

The authors report on 466 serial levels of carcinoembryonic antigens (C.E.A.) carried out with the aim of surveying 44 patients who had malignant tumours of the ovaries : - one third of the cases had a positive level more than 10 ng per ml; - the presence and the serial level depend more on the histological nature of the tumour than the stage of its evolution; - when a serial level has been negative before treatment it has never become positive in in a definite and continuous manner when the tumour progresses. On the other hand, when the test is positive before any therapy is started then there is a good correlation between its clinical evolution, its response to treatment and the serial variations. Relying on their experience and on the results given in the literature, the authors suggest a scheme of practical use of levels of C.E.A. in the care of malignant tumours of the ovary.