Faecal carcinoembryonic antigen in chronic colorectal disorders and colonic malignancy

ABSTRACT

Fecal carcinoembryonic antigen [CEA] was estimated by ELISA method in 10 normal control, 13 patients with chronic bowel disorders and 15 colorectal carcinoma patients [pre- and postoperatively after surgical resection], to determine its diagnostic value and follow up in various chronic colonic disorders and colorectal carcinoma. Large bowel cancer patients had a statistically significant higher value compared to chronic bowel cancer patients had a statistically significant [P <0.05] higher mean value of fecal CEA compared to the control, while a non significant higher value compared to chronic bowel disorder patients was observed. Preoperative fecal CEA fall significantly [P <0.05] in cancer patients by surgical resection from 11.97 +/- 2.14 mug/g to 3.86 +/- 0.59 mug/g. Also, benign chronic colorectal diseased subjects showed a statistically significant diseased subjects showed a statistically significant [P <0.05] higher mean value of fecal CEA compared to the control. Fecal CEA in cancer colon was significantly [P <0.05] high in comparison to cancer rectum patients. Finally, a significant [r= 0.51, P <0.01] positive correlation was elicited between fecal CEA and age of patients with large bowel carcinoma. So, fecal CEA may be used as a useful adjuvant in diagnosis and follow up in various chronic colonic disease and colorectal carcinoma