Use of CA 19-9 in the early detection of recurrences in colorectal cancer: comparison with CEA.
The serum levels of CA 19-9 were determined in the follow-up of 370 patients with colorectal cancer and compared with CEA. An increase in CA 19-9 preceded clinical diagnosis of recurrence in 25% of 72 patients. The mean time between the rise in CA 19-9 and clinical diagnosis of relapse was 3.7 months (median 3). Sensitivity of CA 19-9 in the early diagnosis of recurrence was much lower than that obtained for CEA (75%). Only 1 patient had elevated CA 19-9 levels and normal CEA.
Filella
X
X
Department of Clinical Biochemistry (Unit Cancer Research), Hospital Clínic i Provencial, Barcelona, Spain.
Molina
R
R
Piqué
J M
JM
Garcia-Valdecasas
J C
JC
Grau
J J
JJ
Novell
F
F
Astudillo
E
E
de Lacy
A
A
Daniels
M
M
Ballesta
A M
AM
D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate / Q000097:blood*; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D012008:Recurrence
D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen