[Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in surgically treated cancer of the large intestine]

Abstract

Preoperative CEA value. Dukes stage and recurrence rate have been evaluated in 112 patients with large bowel cancer. Recurrence rate within 24 months was significantly higher (33% vs. 10%, p = 0.01) for preoperative CEA values of more than 5 ng/ml. In patients with moderately or poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma the recurrence rate was nearly 40% if the preoperative CEA value was elevated. Among 13 CEA-detected early recurrences, 3 (23%) have been cured by resection.