Objective To explore the value of expression of carcinomaassociated antigens in early diagnosis and predicting prognosis in gallbladder carcinoma. MethodsThe expression of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen (CA50), Ecadherin (ECD) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in 10 cases of cholecystitis, 10 cases of gallbladder adenomas and 50 cases of gallbladder carcinomas were detected by immunohistochemistry. ResultsThe positive rate of CEA, CA50 and PCNA labeling index (LI) in gallbladder carcinomas were significantly higher than that of gallbladder adenomas and cholecystitis (P<0.05 and P<0.01). The positive rate of ECD in gallbladder carcinomas, especially with metastasis, was significantly lower than that of gallbladder adenomas and cholecystitis (P<0.05). The 3year survival rate was significantly lower in gallbladder carcinomas with CEA and PCNA overexpression (P<0.05), the 3year survival rate in patients with ECD positive tumors was higher than that of those with negative tumors (P<0.05). Conclusion The detection of CEA, CA50 and PCNA is useful for early diagnosis of malignant change in gallbladder adenomas and gallbladder carcinomas. Therefore, the CEA, PCNA and ECD might be useful for predicting prognosis of gallbladder carcinomas.