title: Carcinoembryonic antigen levels as an indicator for reoperation in patients with carcinoma of the colon and rectum.
abstract: The experience from the University of Minnesota with routine reoperations in cancers classified as Dukes' C suggests only a small minority of patients found to have asymptomatic recurrences will benefit from an additional operation. Also, morbidity and mortality will be significant. The presence of a rising carcinoembryonic antigen level following a potentially curative operation has been suggested as a more selective indicator for reoperation. Unfortunately, carcinoembryonic antigen levels are a far more sensitive indicator of hepatic metastases, the group usually not helped by operation. Patients with local-regional recurrent carcinoma of the colon and rectum--the group most likely to benefit from reoperation--often have normal carcinoembryonic antigen levels. The importance of patient selectivity for reoperation and the usefulness of the Astler-Coller staging system to define risk factors are stressed.
mesh_terms: D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen