title: Differences in plasma gastrin, CEA, and CA 19-9 concentration in patients with proximal and distal colorectal cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated whether there are differences in plasma gastrin, as compared with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cancer antigen (CA) 19-9 between patients with proximal and distal colorectal cancer. Gastrin concentration has also been analyzed, dependent on the tumor stage, in order to evaluate the possible prognostic role of this measurement.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 50 patients with colon cancer-fasting gastrin, CA 19-9 and CEA levels were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean plasma-gastrin level in patients with distal tumor yielded 105.31 +/- 12.5 microU/L and was significantly higher than in patients with the proximal tumor site (42.2 +/- 3.1 microU/L) as well as in controls (p < 0.001). No significant difference was observed between mean plasma gastrin in patients with proximal tumors and the control group. The mean CEA plasma level was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in patients with distal tumors (9.1 +/- 1.1 ng/mL) than in those with proximal tumors (1.48 +/- 0.1 ng/mL). Similarly, the mean CA 19-9 plasma level was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in patients with distal tumor (19.9 +/- 2.1 U/mL) than in those with proximal tumor: 1.8 +/- 0.2 U/mL. The mean gastrin plasma, CA 19-9, and CEA level was significantly higher in group of Duke's stage C and D as compared to A and B.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We speculate that observed differences in gastrin concentration in patients with distal and proximal tumors may contribute to the distinct pathogenesis and biological properties of those cancers. The significance of gastrin as a marker for diagnostic or prognostic purposes in colorectal cancer requires further study.
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology Ward, Regional Hospital, Piotrkow Trybunalski, Poland.
authors.forename: Grzegorz
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bombski
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gasiorowska
authors.forename: Daria
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Orszulak-Michalak
authors.forename: Beata
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Neneman
authors.forename: Justyna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kotynia
authors.forename: Janusz
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Strzelczyk
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Janiak
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Malecka-Panas
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005755:Gastrins / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D005755:Gastrins