title: CEA reduction after cryotherapy for liver metastases from colon cancer predicts survival.
abstract: Serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in 33 Australian patients with hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer were measured before and after treatment with hepatic cryotherapy and intra-arterial chemotherapy. Pre-operative and monthly postoperative CEA measurements were made and the lowest postoperative reading was recorded as a percentage fall from the pre-operative level. There was a highly significant association between the maximum percentage fall in CEA and survival. A 50% increase in the maximum percentage fall in CEA level was associated with one-tenth the risk of death (95% CI RR 0.03 to 0.32, Cox regression). It is estimated that an increase in the maximum percentage fall in CEA of 50% from 25 to 75% was associated with an increase in the median survival from 240 days to over 2 years.
authors.affiliation: University of New South Wales Department of Surgery, St George Hospital, Kogarah, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Preketes
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Caplehorn
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Clingan
authors.forename: W B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Morris
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D017679:Cryotherapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D016019:Survival Analysis
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen