【Abstract】Objective To compare the reliability of serum tumour specific growth factor (TSGF) with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in the diagnosis of tumour. Methods The patients were divided into two groups according to malignancy and benignity. In benignity, the patients were subdivided into inflammatory and non-inflammatory groups. The levels of TSGF and CEA in the two groups were measured. Results The positive rate of TSGF and CEA in malignant group was 67.41% and 38.84% respectively; that in benign was 24.56% and 2.63% respectively, in which the inflammatory group was 32.35% and 5.88% respectively, and in non-inflammatory group was 18.25% and 0% respectively. The positive rate of TSGF and CEA was higher in malignant than in benign group (P＜0.005). The positive rate of TSGF was higher than CEA in malignant (P＜0.005) and inflammatory group (P＜0.005). Conclusion Serum TSGF is a useful blood marker in the diagnosis of patients with malignancy, and is a more sensitive and broad-spectrum marker than CEA for the diagnosis of tumours. CEA is more specific than TSGF for the diagnosis of tumours. Combined measurement both TSGF and CEA will enhance the diagnostic rate.