Fifty patients with lung adenocarcinoma, including 20 cases with recurrence and 30 cases without recurrence 1 year after operation, were enrolled in this study. The serial serum levels of tissue polypeptide-specific antigen (TPS) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were measured before operation and at 1 week, and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after operation for early detection of recurrence. The results revealed that: 1) mean serum values of TPS were significantly higher at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after operation in 20 patients with recurrent adenocarcinoma, when compared with 30 patients without recurrent adenocarcinoma; 2) mean serum values of CEA were significantly higher at 9 months and 12 months after operation in 20 patients with recurrent adenocarcinoma, when compared with 30 patients without recurrent adenocarcinoma. We conclude that TPS is a better marker than CEA for early prediction of adenocarcinoma recurrence in lung within 1 year after operation. However, a longer follow-up study should be encouraged.