title: Serial CEA levels in colorectal carcinoma on adjuvant immuno (chemo) therapy.
abstract: Serial CEA levels have been studied preoperatively, and one day, 10--15 days, four months, and eight months after surgery in a group of colon cancer patients who started soon after surgery a protocol of adjuvant immuno(chemo)therapy with Levamisole R and BCG R. Results showed a decrease of mean values of plasma CEA levels from preoperatively to four months after surgery, while eight months after surgery a slight increase was noted. Some of the patients in whom disease recurred showed persistent high levels of CEA, while one patient was consistently a false-negative notwithstanding a bone recurrence. While the prognostic value of serial CEA determinations is confirmed, the possibility of restarting (or intensifying) a protocol of adjuvant immunochemotherapy given high CEA levels and a negative clinical picture is discussed.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001500:BCG Vaccine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007978:Levamisole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: D001500:BCG Vaccine; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D007978:Levamisole