METHODS FOR MEASURING CARCINOEMBRYONIC ANTIGEN
Disclosed herein are methods of accurately measuring carcinoembryonic antigen in a biological sample and methods of identifying and treating a mucinous cyst in a subject.
1 .- 63 . (canceled)
64 . A method of measuring carcinoembryonic antigen in a biological sample, the method comprising:
diluting the biological sample with a diluent to form a diluted biological sample;
measuring the amylase level of the diluted biological sample; and
measuring carcinoembryonic antigen level in the diluted biological sample.
65 . The method of claim 64 , wherein the diluent is saline, Diluent Universal, or a combination thereof.
66 . The method of claim 64 , wherein the biological sample is undiluted prior to the diluting step.
67 . The method of claim 64 , wherein diluting the biological sample with a diluent comprises diluting the biological sample with a diluent at a ratio of biological sample to diluent of about 1:10 to about 1:50
68 . The method of claim 64 , wherein diluting the biological sample with a diluent comprises diluting the biological sample with a diluent at a ratio of about 1:10.
69 . The method of claim 64 , wherein diluting the biological sample with a diluent comprises diluting the biological sample with a diluent at a ratio of about 1:40.
70 . The method of claim 64 , wherein the biological sample is not present in sufficient volume to accurately measure carcinoembryonic antigen level prior to the diluting step.
71 . The method of claim 64 , wherein the biological sample has a high viscosity prior to the diluting step.
72 . The method of claim 71 , wherein the high viscosity is due to the presence of mucin in the biological sample.
73 . The method of claim 64 , wherein the carcinoembryonic antigen levels in the biological sample exceed the measurement capabilities of an instrument being used to measure carcinoembryonic antigen level prior to the diluting step.
74 . The method of claim 64 , wherein the biological sample is selected from pancreatic fluid, pancreatic cyst fluid and combinations thereof.