Study of Carcinoembryonic Antigen Tissue Expression in Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

Aim: The aim of our study was to determine to what extent serial carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is helpful in detecting colorectal cancer recurrence. Second major objectives of this study were to evaluate tissue staining with CEA monoclonal antibody and its pattern of distribution in malignant tissue as regards its relation to prognostic value. Patients and Methods: 30 colorectal cancer patients undergoing clinically curative operations were studied. Primary tumors were evaluated for tissue CEA using immunohistochemical staining with CEA monoclonal antibody. Preoperative serum CEA level was measured as well as in follow-up monitoring of the patients. Results: The exact preoperative serum CEA value did not correlate with tumor stage, grade and immunohistochemical intensity or pattern. In the ten patients who developed recurrent cancer, the serum CEA at recurrence was greater than 5 ng/ml in 80%. All such patients with recurrent tumor had CEA present in their primary tumor. There was no correlation with exact preoperative serum CEA, the intensity of the primary tissue CEA, or localization of such CEA. Conclusion: Tissue CEA is a useful marker in prediction of tumor recurrence. Also serum CEA is a useful marker in detection of recurrent colorectal cancer.