title: Tumor markers used in monitoring the tumor recurrence in patients with colorectal cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the value of serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen (CA 19-9) correlated with some tissue molecules as predictive markers for recurrence in colon cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 30 patients diagnosed with colon cancer stage II or III who underwent optimal surgery were enrolled in study. Tumor markers CEA and CA 19-9 were determined before surgery. Tumor samples were prepared using tissue microarray kit (TMA) then stained for different cellular markers (Ki 67, HER2, BCL2, CD56, CD4, CD8) and analyzed using Inforatio programme for quantitative determination. All patients received standard adjuvant treatment, which consisted of eight cycles chemotherapy type XELOX. The patients were followed up for 3 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Upon 3 years follow-up, 67% of patients developed tumor relapse, the most common site of metastasis being the liver. No correlations were observed between either serum or tissue tumor markers and the risk of tumor relapse.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Over 50% of patients with colon cancer who had optimal treatment developed metastasis. No statistically significant predictive value for investigated molecules was found. Future studies are needed to confirm the use of molecular markers in monitoring patients with colorectal cancer.
authors.affiliation: Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuţă Cancer Institute, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Department of Immunology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Burz
authors.affiliation: Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuţă Cancer Institute, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Ben Youssef Mohamed
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: Aziz
authors.affiliation: Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuţă Cancer Institute, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Loredana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bălăcescu
authors.affiliation: Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuţă Cancer Institute, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Luminiţa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Leluţiu
authors.affiliation: Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuţă Cancer Institute, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Rareş
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Buiga
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Samasca
authors.affiliation: Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuţă Cancer Institute, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Department of Surgical Oncology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Alexandru
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Irimie
authors.affiliation: Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuţă Cancer Institute, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Department of Surgical Oncology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Cosmin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lisencu
keywords: chemotherapy; colon cancer; predictive markers