Elevated carcinoembryonic antigen tumour marker caused by head and neck cancer: a case report and literature study

Abstract

Carcinoembryonic antigen is a tumour marker commonly increased in gastrointestinal and pulmonary cancers. We report a case of a 46-year-old man with a mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the base of tongue with an elevated and traceable serum carcinoembryonic antigen level. This antigen proved to be a valuable marker in the treatment follow-up. When a raised carcinoembryonic antigen level is found, salivary gland malignancies should be taken into the differential diagnosis and clinical examination of the head and neck region should not be overlooked.

Keywords: Antigène carcinoembryonique; CEA; Cancer ORL; Cancer mucoépidermoïde; Head and neck cancer; Minor salivary gland tumours; Mucoepidermoid carcinoma; Tumeur des glandes salivaires.