SERUM AND TISSUE CEA IN COLORECTAL-CANCER - CLINICAL RELEVANCE

PURPOSE: this article is an analysis of the information derived from t he determination of tumor-tissue concentration of CEA in patients with colorectal cancer. To ascertain the relationship between tumor marker content with the histologic aspects and serologic levels of CEA of th is neoplam. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 136 patients with colorectal adenoc arcinoma and 41 with colorectal benign processes are analyzed and foll owed during an average time of 27 months. The CEA of the serum were ob tained preoperatively and postoperatively and measured by radioimmunoa ssay (RIA). Tissular CEA levels were determined with RIA. The histolog ical characteristics are analyzed (Dukes classification, grade of diff erentiation, index of atypia, microscopic vascular and lymphatic invol vement. RESULTS: 1) The cut off point of the tissular CEA with the bes t sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of normal mucosa is 38 6 ng/mg and for tumoral tissue is 1160 ng/mg. 2) There is no correlati on between tissue and serologic CEA value. 3) The tissular level of CE A have a significant statistical correlation with Dukes' stage (p < 0. 003); other histological characteristics were no significative. 4) The re are significant statistical correlations between serologic CEA and relapse but no with survival rates. CONCLUSIONS: 1) Serologic CEA leve ls depend on numerous factors. 2) There aren't correlations between pr eoperative serologic levels and tissular CEA levels. 3) Tissular CEA d o not predict what patients will have an elevated serologic CEA level in relapse.