The value of bile CEA assay in detection of liver metastasis in patients with colorectal cancer / 中国癌症杂志

ABSTRACT

Background and purpose:Carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA) is mainly used in post-surveillance of colorectal cancer(CRC). Recently, bile CEA assay was reported to be of value in the diagnosis of OHM(occult hepatic metastasis) in CRC. We measured CEA levels in both peripheral vein and bile from patients with CRC to evaluate the change of bile CEA levels in patients with CRC and its relation to liver metastasis (LM). Methods:Three groups were enrolled in our study. Primary CRC Group 27 patients with CRC but without LM; LM Group 14 patients with LM from CRC; Control Group 20 patients with benign biliary diseases (cholelithiasis or cholecystitis). Both serum and bile were collected to measure CEA levels in all groups but only bile CEA was measured in control group. Results:Bile CEA level in control group, primary CRC group and LM group were 1.73 ng/ml,13.7 ng/ml and314.27 ng/ml respectively, (P