Tumour markers in colorectal cancer.
Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is still the best marker both for primary diagnosis and post-treatment monitoring of patients with colorectal cancer. Monoclonal antibodies, especially CA 19-9 and CA 50 may give additional information whereas CA 125 seems to be of no value in patients with colorectal cancer. The sensitivity of CEA determination for Dukes' A carcinomas is as low as 30%, but increases to 85% for Dukes' D carcinomas. The best clinical benefit of CEA is in postoperative monitoring of surgically treated patients with colorectal cancer. The sensitivity and specificity for distant metastases are 85%. The sensitivity in the detection of local recurrence is low (40%) but the specificity is still high (80%). A high CEA level postoperatively strongly suggests either local recurrence or disseminated disease, but a negative value does not exclude their presence. If CEA is negative both preoperatively and one month postoperatively, CA 19-9 or CA 50 may be used in the monitoring of these patients.
Roberts
P J
PJ
University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate / Q000032:analysis*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D011182:Postoperative Care
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen