A clinical study of CA-50 as a tumour marker for monitoring of colorectal cancer.
Using a radioimmunoassay we have determined serum levels of the carcinoma-associated antigen CA-50 in 266 patients with colorectal cancer. Elevated CA-50 levels were found in Dukes' A (15%), Dukes' B (43%), Dukes' C (31%) and Dukes' D (65%). Patients who had developed a recurrence had 66% elevated levels. 25% of resected patients with no evidence of disease also had elevated CA-50 levels. From 139 patients operated on for a Dukes' A-C, a rise in CA-50 levels from the pre- to the 6-9 month post-operative sample was demonstrated in 12 cases in the absence of any clinical evidence for a recurrence. On follow-up, a recurrence later developed in all these cases with lead times of CA-50 titre rises ranging from 5 to 40 months. A rise in CA-50 levels after resection of a Dukes' A-C is indicative of a recurrence and may precede any clinical evidence of disease by several months or years. Data is also presented from 552 cases with colorectal cancer analysed with a immunoradiometric assay.
Persson
B E
BE
Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Göteborg, Sweden.
Ståhle
E
E
Påhlman
L
L
Glimelius
B
B
Nilsson
O
O
Lindholm
L
L
Norrgård-Pedersen
B
B
Holmgren
J
J
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011863:Radioimmunoassay / Q000379:methods; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor