A case of CEA producing hepatocellular carcinoma

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a useful tumor marker for gastrointestinal malignancy. But as for liver cancer, α-fetoprotein (AFP) plays a more signiflcant role than CEA. We have experienced a rare case of liver cancer patient, who showed very high values of CEA and AFP in the sera. The tumor consisted of apparently different two parts, well differentiated adenocarcinoma and poorly differentiated part. This case suggests not only that we must keep in mind the existence of CEA producing hepatoma but also that there may be a interest relationship between fetoprotein and the differentiation.