title: Cancer Antigens (CEA and CA 19-9) as Markers of Advanced Stage of Colorectal Carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  CEA and CA 19-9 are the most common tumor associated antigens used in the staging of patients with rectal cancer and other parts of the colon.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  of this study was to evaluate the value of CEA and CA 19-9 in serum of patients with colon cancer and prove its place in the diagnostic staging.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was retrospective-prospective performed at the Gastroenterohepatology Clinic, Clinical Center of Sarajevo University. The study included 91 hospitalized patients who had histologically confirmed diagnosis of colon adenocarcinoma in 98% of cases. All patients underwent colonoscopy, targeted biopsy and measurement of CEA and CA 19-9 levels in serum. All of them underwent abdominal CT and MRI of the pelvis in case of rectal cancer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study analyzed 58 men and 33 women, mean age 66.6 years, with the youngest patient at age of 35 and the oldest at age of 89 years. The largest number of patients was aged 56-75 years. According to localization 77 patients had carcinoma located in the area of the rectum and sigma 37.4 and 37.4 in the rectostigmoid area and sigma. Metastases were observed in 37 patients, with predominance in the liver (22 cases) and both liver and lungs (5 cases). CEA and CA 19-9 were determined in all cases but patients with metastases had high values, especially in the two cases of cecoascendent colon cancer where detected values were extremely high (1789ng/ml and 10780U/ml). Values of CA19 -9 were significantly higher (p<0.05). CEA mean values were highest in patients aged over 75 years. In case of CA 19-9 high mean values have been recorded in patients aged over 75 years with statistically significant differences between the age groups (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CEA and CA19-9 are cancer antigens that are late markers of carcinogenesis, with significantly elevated serum concentrations in case of colon cancer with already developed metastases. Older age group of patient has significantly elevated levels of both antigens. Cancer was twice more common in men than in women.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Gastroenterohepatology, Clinical Center of University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
authors.forename: Zora
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Vukobrat-Bijedic
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Gastroenterohepatology, Clinical Center of University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
authors.forename: Azra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Husic-Selimovic
authors.affiliation: Institute of Radiology, Clinical Center of University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
authors.forename: Amela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sofic
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Mechanical engineering University "Dzemal Bijedic" Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bijedic
authors.affiliation: Clinical center of Eastern Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
authors.forename: Ivana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bjelogrlic
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Gastroenterohepatology, Clinical Center of University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
authors.forename: Bisera
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gogov
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Gastroenterohepatology, Clinical Center of University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
authors.forename: Amila
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mehmedovic
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood; D017522:Bosnia and Herzegovina; D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000235:genetics*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen
keywords: CA 19-9; CEA; adenocarcinoma of the colon; metastases