The Significance of Perioperative Serum Carcinoembryonic Antigen Measurement in Patients with Curative Colorectal Cancer

PURPOSE: Regular monitoring of serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) has been used as a tool to detect recurrence of colorectal cancer postoperatively. This study aimed to evaluate the significance of perioperative serum CEA level in patients with curative colorectal cancer. METHODS: We analyzed the data obtained from the 420 patients with colorectal cancer who underwent curative resection. Preoperative serum CEA level (ng/ml) was divided into 3 groups, i.e. groups I: or=20. Each group of preoperative serum CEA level was analyzed in accordance with location, histologic differentiation, stage of tumor, recurrence and survival. Postoperative serum CEA level was analyzed in accordance with preoperative serum CEA level and recurrence. RESULTS: Preoperative serum CEA level correlated with tumor stage (P=0.009). Ninety six patients among 420 patients showed recurred and recurrences were more common in patients with high preoperative serum CEA level (P =0.002). Systemic recurrences were more common in patients with high preoperative serum CEA levels than normal levels (P=0.029). In recurrence cases, 75 patients (78.1%) had elevated serum CEA levels and 55 patients had high preoperative serum CEA levels (P=0.008). The disease free 5-year survival rate in preoperative serum CEA group I, II, and III were 91.4%, 70.5%, and 58.3% respectively (P= 0.000) CONCLUSION: Preoperative serum CEA levels seemed to be closely correlated with distant metastasis and survival. Meticulous follow-up evaluation and generous use of adjuvant therapy are recommanded in patients with high preoperative CEA level.

CMV Colitis in a Patient with Colon Adenocarcinoma

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis occurs almost exclusively in immune-compromised patients namely, HIV infection, immunosuppressant therapy after organ transplantation, anti-cancer chemotherapy, and long- term steroid user. Some patients with solid tumor have gastrointestinal CMV disease without anti-cancer chemotherapy. A 64-year-old male patient underwent surgery due to sigmoid colon cancer. On histopathologic examination of surgical specimen, CMV colitis was found in the colon. The AJCC tumor stage was II. Although CMV colitis is rarely associated with colon cancer, it maybe considered in patients with combined colitis with colorectal cancer.