Prediagnostic levels of carcinoembryonic antigen and CA 242 in colorectal cancer: a matched case-control study.

Purpose: Carcinoembryonic antigen is the classical tumor marker for colorectal cancer. The main clinical utility is in monitoring patients with colorectal cancer. Like carcinoembryonic antigen, the plasma level of CA 242 is elevated in patients with colorectal cancer.

Individual cutoff levels of carcinoembryonic antigen and CA 242 indicate recurrence of colorectal cancer with high sensitivity.

Purpose: This study was designed to identify the sensitivity and specificity associated with recurrent colorectal cancer, principally hepatic metastases, with individual cutoff levels of carcinoembryonic antigen; identify the corresponding data for CA 50 and CA 242; compare these findings with standard cutoff levels, clinical examinations, and patients' personal health assessments; and identify the time between increasing serum levels and detection of actual relapses, particularly hepatic metastases.

Methods: A prospective study was performed that included 132 patients with colorectal cancer who underwent surgery with curative intent and who were followed up for a minimum of 5 years. Serum samples were obtained the first two years after surgery.

Prediction of postoperative survival by preoperative serum concentrations of anti-p53 compared to CEA, CA 50, CA 242 and conventional blood tests in patients with colorectal carcinoma.

Blood samples were obtained preoperatively from 151 consecutive patients who were operated for colorectal carcinoma; of these 132 patients underwent curatively aimed operations. Patients who lived for more than five years without any evidence of relapse were classified as survivors and those who died during follow-up were classified as non-survivors. Tumors were staged according to Dukes and tumor differentiation was classified as high, intermediate or low.