title: [Tumor markers in colorectal neoplasm pathology: our experience of the diagnostic and prognostic importance of CEA antigen].
abstract: It is well known that the presence of a tumour may be accompanied by production and release into the serum of a substantial number of protein and/or hormonal substances. Only relatively recently, however, have investigators begun to identify which of these supposed markers may actually be clinically useful. A picture is thus gradually emerging of a number of markers (in actual fact only very few) which are already clinically useful, as well as others which are clinically promising and numerous markers which require more thorough clinical evaluation. Prominent among those already in clinical use is undoubtedly CEA. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a glycoprotein isolated for the first time by Gold and Friedman in 1965. Very recently, sensitive radioimmune and immuno-enzymatic assays have made it possible to determine serum levels lower than 3 ng/ml. Though high plasma levels of CEA do not indicate the presence of a tumour with certainty, very high levels are, however, to some extent indicative of its existence. In view of the fact that CEA possesses neither the sensitivity nor the specificity to be able to diagnose the presence or otherwise of a tumour, its use is generally recommended when formulating a prognosis or for monitoring surgical and/or medical therapy (chemotherapy and radiotherapy) in asymptomatic patients. We therefore carried out tests in 357 patients on file as having undergone surgery for neoplasms of the colon-rectum-anus, monitored in our colostomy outpatients' department, which was started up in 1980. 188 of these patients had already been submitted to CEA assay prior to surgery. The data are analyzed in relation to the site, stage and grade of differentiation of the neoplasm, the supposed radicality of the operation and the period of follow-up in these patients.
authors.affiliation: Ospedale S. Antonio Abate, Gallarate, Varese, Divisione Chirurgia II.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tessera
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dall'Acqua
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Bernardi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Crivelli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gallioli
mesh_terms: D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen
vernacular_title: I markers tumorali nella patologia neoplastica del colon-retto: nostra esperienza sul significato diagnostico e prognostico dell'antigene CEA.