title: The role of CEA, TPA and CA 19-9 in the early detection of recurrent colorectal cancer.
abstract: Eighty-eight consecutive patients who underwent curative resection for colorectal cancer between 1983 and 1985 were studied prospectively to evaluate the roles of sequential CEA, TPA and CA 19-9 determinations and independent clinical examination in the early diagnosis of resectable recurrences. Twenty nine recurrences were detected between 8 and 38 months after primary surgery. CEA, TPA and CA 19-9 showed a sensitivity of 72%, 62% and 38%, and a specificity of 78%, 86% and 97%, respectively. Of eight recurrences in which CEA was not raised, five induced a rise in TPA and two a rise in CA 19-9. The rise in the serum concentration of one of the three markers was the first sign of relapse in 23 (79%) patients. Two second-look laparotomies based solely on a rise in serum markers were performed. In one case diffuse recurrent disease was found, and in the other a resectable solitary hepatic metastasis was found.
authors.affiliation: 1st Surgical Clinic, University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Barillari
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ramacciato
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: de Angelis
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gozzo
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aurello
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Indinnimeo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Valabrega
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: D'Angelo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fegiz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate / Q000097:blood*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D010455:Peptides / Q000097:blood*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012086:Reoperation; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D019396:Tissue Polypeptide Antigen
chemical_list: D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D010455:Peptides; D019396:Tissue Polypeptide Antigen