Unexplained Elevation of Carcinoembryonic Antigen: Focus on the Thyroid

Licai Chen, Lei Tuo

Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Sinopharm Dongfeng General Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei 442008, China Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Sinopharm Dongfeng General Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, China

^*Correspondance to: Lei Tuo 

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Abstract:

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), recognized as one of the most widely utilized tumor markers in clinical practice, had limitations as an independent diagnostic tool due to its relatively low specificity. Its principal clinical value lay in aiding diagnosis and tracking therapeutic responses. The present case report described the clinical course of a 34-year-old female patient who presented with elevated serum CEA levels during a routine health examination. Subsequent follow-up and comprehensive assessment led to the identification of a suspicious lesion in the right thyroid lobe. Further evaluation revealed a markedly elevated serum calcitonin level. The patient consequently underwent total thyroidectomy and right central lymph node dissection. Postoperative histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of medullary thyroid carcinoma. This case highlighted the importance of adopting an integrated diagnostic approach in instances of unexplained isolated elevation of carcinoembryonic antigen. Such an approach involved serumspecific markers (e.g., calcitonin), imaging modalities, and histopathological evaluation, while systematically ruling out nonspecific confounding factors to establish an accurate diagnosis.

Keywords:

Carcinoembryonic antigen; Calcitonin; Procalcitonin; Medullary thyroid cancer

Cite the Article:

Tuo L, Chen L. Unexplained Elevation of Carcinoembryonic Antigen: Focus on the Thyroid. Ann Clin Case Rep. 2026; 11: 2817..