Prognostic value of pre-operative assessment of serum carcino-embryonic antigen and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 levels in colorectal carcinoma

ABSTRACT

Colorectal cancer [CRC] is one of the most frequent and aggressive neoplasms. It is the second leading cause of death from cancer in the United States and is a significant overall health problem. Tumor markers are substances synthesized amid excreted by tumor tissues that can be detected in abnormal concentrations in serum, urine, and other body fluids. Two such markers, Carcino-embryonic antigen [CEA] and Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 [CA 19-9], are useful in the diagnosis, prognosis and management of colorectal carcinoma. This study attempted to evaluate the clinical and prognostic value of the two markers using forty patients with CRC and ten healthy persons as a control group. All patients with CRC showed highly significant increases in CEA and CA -19-9 compared to the control group [p < 0.001], and there was a highly significant increase in the level of CEA in more advanced tumor stages. [p<0.01]. Regression analysis showed a significant correlation between CEA and CA-19-9 [p <0.05; r = 0.35] and significant increases in CEA in rectal tumors compared to those located in the colon; in males compared to females [p <0.05]; and also a highly significant increase in patients over 60 years of age [p <0.01] but no relation between CA 19-9 level and age, sex, and site of tumor. These data suggest that serum levels of CEA and CA -19-9 can be clinically useful in the diagnosis and staging of colorectal carcinoma