Carcinoembryonic antigen, ferritin, anionic glycoproteins, and their sialic acid content in advanced colorectal cancer

Abstract

The efficiency of the combination of four tumor markers in recognizing advanced (recurrent or metastatic) colorectal cancer was evaluated. In 31 normal volunteers and in 31 patients with histologically documented colorectal tumor, we measured serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), ferritin, anionic glycoproteins, and their sialic acid content (SA). CEA, ferritin, anionic glycoproteins and SA mean levels were significantly higher in patients than in normal subjects. Among the four markers CEA was the most sensitive (87.1%) and SA the most specific (100%). By using CEA and SA in combination in 29 out of 31 patients, either marker was abnormally high. Ferritin and anionic glycoproteins did not render additional information. CEA serum levels were elevated in 14 out of 15 patients with liver metastasis, while SA was elevated in six out of 15. CEA maintains its central cole as tumor marker in colorectal cancer; the combined use of CEA and SA may add to precision in detecting patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Anionic glycoproteins and ferritin seem of limited usefulness.