DOI: 10.36347/sjds.2020.v07i12.012

Pages: 271-276

Background: Oral cancer is a major concern in Bangladesh, often diagnosed late. Among various predisposing factors, potentially malignant lesions such as oral leukoplakia contribute to its development. This study assessed serum Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) as a tumor marker in oral leukoplakia for early detection and malignancy risk evaluation. Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to assess serum Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) as a tumor marker in oral leukoplakia. Methods: This prospective observational study, conducted at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University and Bangladesh Multicare Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh from July 2018 to June 2019, enrolled 30 oral leukoplakia patients. Serum CEA levels were measured using ELISA from venous blood samples. Data were analyzed using SPSS, with continuous variables as mean ± SD and categorical variables as frequencies. Group comparisons used the t-test and chi-square test, with p < 0.05 considered significant. Results: This study evaluated serum CEA levels in 30 oral leukoplakia patients, finding 60% had normal levels (<3.5 ng/mL), 23.3% borderline (3.5–5.0 ng/mL), and 16.7% elevated (>5.0 ng/mL). Elevated CEA levels were significantly linked to tobacco use, severe leukoplakia, and moderate-to-severe dysplasia (p < 0.001). Malignant transformation risk increased with CEA levels: 11.1% in normal, 42.9% in borderline, and 80% in elevated cases, suggesting CEA as a potential biomarker for disease severity and progression in oral leukoplakia. Conclusion: Elevated serum CEA levels are strongly associated with disease severity and malignant transformation in oral leukoplakia, highlighting its potential as a biomarker for early intervention and improved patient outcomes.