title: [Diagnostic value of the assay of beta 2 microglobulin during the monitoring of surgically-treated colorectal cancers. Comparison with carcinoembryonic antigen].
abstract: This work presents an evaluation of the diagnostic value of seric beta 2-microglobulin in the follow-up of operated colorectal cancers. Ninety-one patients were operated on with a curative intent between 1976 and 1979. These patients were followed for at least 2 years and divided in 2 groups: a) group NR: 48 patients apparently free of loco-regional recurrence and of distant metastases, b) group R: 43 patients presenting a cancerous relapse. High levels of beta 2-microglobulin were found in 21 patients of group NR (specificity: 56 p. 100) and in 25 patients of group R (sensitivity: 58 p. 100). In the same population, the specificity and the sensitivity of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) for the diagnosis of a relapse were 92 p. 100 and 88 p. 100 respectively. No significant statistical correlation was observed between the levels of beta 2-microglobulin and CEA. The sensitivity of the association beta 2-microglobulin + CEA was not superior to the dosage of CEA alone despite its reduced specificity (54 p. 100). These results indicate that the diagnostic value of the dosage of beta 2-microglobulin is inferior to that of CEA and is without interest for the detection of tumoral recurrence in the postoperative follow-up of colorectal cancers.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000601:surgery*; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin
vernacular_title: Valeur diagnostique du dosage de la beta 2-microglobuline au cours de la surveillance des cancers colo-rectaux opérés. Comparaison avec l'antigéne carcino-embryonnaire.