Carcinoembryonic Antigen CEA - Prognostic Value in Immediate Post-Operative Mortality in Colorectal Cancer.

Introduction: This study investigates the prognostic significance of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in predicting early postoperative mortality in patients who have undergone colorectal cancer surgery.

Methods: Between 2017 and 2022, total of 325 patients were enrolled in the study, and their preoperative serum CEA levels were measured. Relevant clinical and operative data were extracted and correlations between CEA levels and postoperative mortality was analysed.

Results: Among the surgical cases, 180 patients (55.3%) exhibited elevated CEA levels. Within the early postoperative period of 30 days, 14 patients (4.3%) succumbed, comprising 8 cases (2.4%) of colon cancer and 6 cases (1.8%) of rectal cancer. Notably, only 3 cases (0.9%), consisting of 1 (0.3%) colon cancer and 2 (0.6%) rectal cancer cases, were associated with an elevated CEA level. However, no statistically significant correlations were observed between CEA levels and early postoperative mortality.

Conclusions: Our findings indicate that increased CEA levels may not serve as a reliable non-invasive marker for identifying patients at high risk of early mortality in the context of colo-rectal cancer surgery.