Methods for measuring carcinoembryonic antigen

Abstract

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.