title: Carcinoembryonic antigen as a prognostic indicator in the radiotherapeutic management of rectal cancer.
abstract: Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels have been assessed retrospectively in a group of 32 patients with inoperable or recurrent carcinoma of the rectum treated with radiotherapy. Complete clinical regression of pelvic disease was only achieved in patients with pre-treatment CEA levels less than 30 ng/ml when no metastases were present. Pre-treatment CEA assay has a place as a prognostic indicator in the radiotherapeutic management of inoperable or recurrent carcinoma of the rectum.
mesh_terms: D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D010166:Palliative Care; D011379:Prognosis; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*
chemical_list: D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen