Postoperative Serum Carcinoembryonic Antigen Research Articles

Association of postoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) with disease-free survival in patients with stage III colon cancer: ACHIEVE phase III randomized clinical trial.

4069 Background: ACHIEVE, as part of the IDEA collaboration, was a multicenter trial randomizing patients with stage 3 resected colon cancer to either 3 versus 6 months of adjuvant FOLFOX/CAPOX. We previously reported that the hazard ratios (HRs) in disease-free survival (DFS) of 3 versus 6 months duration according to risk stage (low-risk [T1-3 and N1] or high-risk [T4 or N2]) and regimen (FOLFOX or CAPOX) as well as in overall population were consistent with those observed in the whole IDEA. This study aimed to clarify the significance of post-operative serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) on DFS in stage 3 colon cancer. Methods: Eligibility included post-operative serum CEA value of ≤10 ng/ml at registration in the ACHIEVE trial, which enrolled 1313 patients between 2012 and 2014, out of whom 1291 pts were the modified ITT (mITT) population and used in this study. The cutoff values of CEA analyzed for prognostic analyses were the median value (1.8 ng/ml) in the mITT, the upper limit of normal (ULN) level (5.0 ng/ml), and the half of ULN (2.5 ng/ml). The association of post-operative CEA with DFS were measured by Cox regression analyses. Results: Of the 3 cutoff values, the ULN (5.0 ng/ml) was associated with DFS more strongly than the median (1.8 ng/ml) or half of ULN (2.5 ng/ml), with a HR of 1.75 (95%CI, 1.24-2.46) (Table). The 99 patients (7.7%) were identified as the CEA > ULN and 1192 (92.3%) as < ULN. In univariate analysis, regimen (CAPOX or FOLFOX), ECOG PS (0 or 1), T factor (T1-3 or T4), N factor (N1 or N2-3) and CEA ( < ULN or > ULN) were significantly associated with DFS. Multivariate Cox regression identified CEA > ULN as an independent poor risk factor (HR = 1.45; 95%CI, 1.03-2.05). Shorter DFS in patients with CEA > ULN than in those with CEA < ULN was consistently observed in each subgroup of baseline factors, including treatment duration, regimen, age, gender, PS, T-stage, N-stage, no of lymph nodes examined, and tumor location; no interaction was observed between CEA and these factors. Conclusions: Post-operative serum CEA is also a strong prognostic factor for DFS in stage 3 colon cancer. Clinical trial information: 000008543 . [Table: see text]

Clinical Significances of Positive Postoperative Serum CEA and Post-preoperative CEA Increment in Stage II and III Colorectal Cancer: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Background: Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is the most common serum tumor marker in colorectal cancer (CRC). Nevertheless, few previous studies demonstrated the impacts of postoperative CEA and post-preoperative CEA increment on prognosis of CRC.Methods: Patients with stage II and III CRC were included from January 2009 to December 2015. All clinical and follow-up data were collected. Patients were divided into four different groups according to the levels of postoperative serum CEA and post-preoperative CEA trends. Chi-square test was used to analyze the relationship between clinical variables and categorized postoperative CEA and CEA increment. Cox proportional hazard regression was used for univariate and multivariable analyses. The log-rank test was performed to compare PFS and OS among groups.Results: Patients, 1,008, who underwent radical surgery, were enrolled. Our results showed that positive postoperative CEA and CEA increment were related to clinical stage, T stage, N stage, tumor differentiation, and lymphatic invasion (p < 0.05). Univariate and multivariable analysis results suggested that positive postoperative CEA and CEA increment were independent prognostic factors for PFS (HR = 3.149, 95% CI, 2.426–4.088, p = 0.000 for postoperative CEA; HR = 2.708, 95% CI, 2.106–3.482, p = 0.000 for CEA increment) and OS (HR = 3.414, 95% CI, 2.549–4.574, p = 0.000 for postoperative CEA; HR = 2.373, 95% CI, 1.783–3.157, p = 0.000 for CEA increment). The survival analyses revealed positive postoperative CEA, and CEA increment predicted worse prognosis. Furthermore, our results indicated that the 3- and 5-year PFS rates were 86.6 and 78.4% in group A, but decreased to 25.3 and 7.2% in group D (p < 0.001). Similarly, the 3- and 5-year OS rates for group A were 92.5 and 83.9%, much higher than group D (p < 0.001). In other words, patients with both postoperative CEA elevation and CEA increment had the worst prognosis.Conclusions: Positive postoperative CEA and CEA increment were independent prognostic factors for stage II and III CRC. Additionally, postoperative CEA and CEA increment had significant impacts on PFS and OS of CRC.

The Changes and Clinical Significance of Preoperative and Postoperative Serum CEA and CA19-9 in Gastric Cancer.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 are the most commonly used tumor markers in gastric cancer (GC). The purpose of this study was to dynamically monitor the preoperative and postoperative CEA and/or CA19-9 levels in GC patients to determine their value in efficacy monitoring and prognosis. The preoperative and postoperative CEA and/or CA19-9 were measured in 397 GC patients and correlated to pathology and the overall survival (OS). We found the depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, and pTNM stage were the most important factors affecting the elevated levels of CEA and CA19-9 in GC patients (all p < 0.001). There were significant differences between preoperative CEA or CA19-9 and postoperative values (p < 0.001). Multivariate analyses revealed that postoperative CEA and the presence of lymph node metastasis were independently associated with shorter OS (p = 0.041; p = 0.030). Dynamic monitoring of CEA and CA19-9 before and after surgery can be used to determine tumor burden. Postoperative rather than preoperative tumor markers, especially postoperative CEA, are good indicators for judging the prognosis of GC patients.

Prognostic impact of preoperatively elevated and postoperatively normalized carcinoembryonic antigen levels following curative resection of stage I-III rectal cancer.

BackgroundPreoperative and early postoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels are known prognostic factors in rectal cancer. Recently, a large‐scale study on colon cancer revealed that “preoperatively elevated and postoperatively normalized CEA levels” is not an indicator of poor prognosis. However, whether this hold true in rectal cancer patients is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of preoperatively elevated and postoperatively normalized CEA levels in rectal cancer patients undergoing curative resection.MethodsSubjects were consecutive stage I‐III rectal cancer patients who underwent curative resection without preoperative treatment at National Cancer Center Hospital between 2000 and 2015. Overall survival (OS) and the hazard function of recurrence or death were analyzed according to the CEA levels, as follows: normal preoperative CEA (normal group), preoperatively elevated but postoperatively normalized CEA (normalized group), and preoperatively and postoperatively elevated CEA (elevated group).ResultsThe normalized group (n =235) had worse OS (HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.08‐2.04; P = .0142) compared to the normal group (n = 1208), and better OS compared to the elevated group (n = 47) (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.31‐0.91; P = .0208). The elevated group had the highest and earliest peak in hazard function, followed by the normalized group and the normal group, with median times to recurrence of 8.8, 15.5, and 18.5 months, respectively (P = .0223).ConclusionsPrognosis after resection of rectal cancer was worse in patients with preoperatively elevated and postoperatively normalized CEA compared to those with normal preoperative CEA. Patients with elevated preoperative CEA might require intensive follow‐up even if levels normalize after resection, especially in earlier periods, for early detection of recurrence.

The prognostic value of the postoperative serum CEA levels/preoperative serum CEA levels ratio in colorectal cancer patients with high preoperative serum CEA levels.

PurposeThis study aimed to assess the prognostic value of the postoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels/preoperative serum CEA levels ratio (CEA ratio) in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with high preoperative serum CEA levels and to identify the optimal prognostic cutoff value.Patients and methodsThe medical records of 187 CRC patients in a single center who underwent surgery between September 2012 and September 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. CEA ratio was defined as the ratio between the postoperative serum CEA and preoperative serum CEA. The optimal cutoff values for the CEA ratio were determined by time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses. The Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact probability test were used to test the correlation between CEA ratio and clinicopathological characteristics. Univariate, multivariate, and subgroup Cox proportional hazards analysis were used to identify independent prognostic factors. Kaplan–Meier method was used for establishing survival curves.ResultsThe median follow-up time was 62 months (range 3–88 months). The optimal CEA ratio cutoff value closely related to disease-free survival was 0.295. In the Chi-square test, the CEA ratio was associated with pN stage (p=0.003) and postoperative CEA (p<0.001). In the multivariate analysis, the CEA ratio was an independent prognostic factor for disease-free survival (p=0.003, HR 2.300 [95% CI: 1.326–3.988]) and cancer-special survival (p=0.003, HR 2.525 [95% CI: 1.381–4.614]). The CEA ratio reflected the prognosis of CRC patients more accurately than postoperative CEA levels alone, and the CEA ratio of 0.295 was more likely to reflect the prognosis than other cutoff values.ConclusionThe CEA ratio is a simple and useful tool for further forecasting the prognosis of CRC patients with high preoperative CEA levels and may help develop strategies for the postoperative treatment of CRC patients.

Prognostic significance of pre and post-operative serum carcinoembryonic antigen levels in patients presented with rectal carcinoma; an experience from Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Center Lahore.

To explore the importance of serum carcinoembryonic antigen level as a tumour marker in rectal carcinoma. The retrospective study was conducted at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, and comprised data of patients with rectal carcinoma from January 1996 to December 2015. Serum carcinoembryonic antigen levels were analysed using immulite@2000 system analyser. On the basis of serum carcinoembryonic antigen levels, data of patients was divided into four groups. Group A had normal serum levels both before and after surgical resection; Group B had normal levels pre-surgery but post-surgery levels were raised; Group C had raised levels pre-surgery that went down to normal post-surgery; and Group D had raised levels both before and after surgery. SPSS 23 was used for data analysis. Of the 401 patients, 267(66.6%) were males, and 204(50.9%) were aged <50 years. Group A had 267(66.6%) patients, Group B 26(6.5%), Group C 79(`9.7) and Group D had 29(7.2%) patients. Stage III disease was the most common 343(85.5%) and it was true across the groups. Overall recurrence was in 141(35.2%) patients. Group D had the highest recurrence rate 26(89.7%), while Group C had the lowest 18(22.8%). Fluctuating levels of carcinoembryonic antigen affected post-operative outcome.

Independent prognostic impact of preoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen and cancer antigen 15-3 levels for early breast cancer subtypes

BackgroundAlthough the prognosis for operable breast cancers is reportedly worse if serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cancer antigen 15-3 (CA15-3) levels are above normal, the usefulness of this prognosis is limited due to the low sensitivity and specificity; in addition, the optimal cutoff levels remain unknown.MethodsA total of 1076 patients who were operated for breast cancers (test set = 608, validation set = 468) without evidence of metastasis were recruited, and their baseline and postoperative serum CEA and CA15-3 levels were analyzed. The optimal cutoff values of CEA and CA15-3 for disease-free survival (DFS) were 3.2 ng/mL and 13.3 U/mL, respectively, based on receiver operating characteristic curve and area under the curve analyses.ResultsThe DFS of patients with high CEA levels (CEA-high: n = 191, 5-year DFS 70.6%) was significantly worse (p < 0.0001) than that of CEA-low patients (n = 885, 5-year DFS 87.2%). There was a significant difference in DFS (p < 0.0001) between CA15-3-high and CA15-3-low patients (n = 314 and n = 762, respectively; 5-year DFS 71.8 vs. 89.3%). Significant associations between DFS and CA15-3 levels were observed irrespective of the subtypes. Multivariable analysis indicated that tumor size, lymph node metastasis, tumor grade, and CEA (p = 0.0474) and CA15-3 (p < 0.0001) levels were independent prognostic factors (hazard ratio [HR] 1.520, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.005–2.245 for CEA; HR 2.088, 95% CI 1.457–2.901 for CA15-3).ConclusionsThese findings suggest that CEA and CA15-3 levels might be useful for predicting the prognosis of patients with operable early breast cancer irrespective of the subtype. Serum levels at baseline may reflect tumor characteristics for metastatic potential even when these levels are within the normal ranges.

Association of Preoperative and Postoperative Serum Carcinoembryonic Antigen and Colon Cancer Outcome

Guidelines recommend measuring preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in patients with colon cancer. Although persistently elevated CEA after surgery has been associated with increased risk for metastatic disease, prognostic significance of elevated preoperative CEA that normalized after resection is unknown. To investigate whether patients with elevated preoperative CEA that normalizes after colon cancer resection have a higher risk of recurrence than patients with normal preoperative CEA. This retrospective cohort analysis was conducted at a comprehensive cancer center. Consecutive patients with colon cancer who underwent curative resection for stage I to III colon adenocarcinoma at the center from January 2007 to December 2014 were identified. Patients were grouped into 3 cohorts: normal preoperative CEA, elevated preoperative but normalized postoperative CEA, and elevated preoperative and postoperative CEA. Three-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) and hazard function curves over time were analyzed. A total of 1027 patients (461 [50.4%] male; median [IQR] age, 64 [53-75] years) were identified. Patients with normal preoperative CEA had 7.4% higher 3-year RFS (n = 715 [89.7%]) than the combined cohorts with elevated preoperative CEA (n = 312 [82.3%]) (P = .01) but had RFS similar to that of patients with normalized postoperative CEA (n = 142 [87.9%]) (P = .86). Patients with elevated postoperative CEA had 14.9% lower RFS (n = 57 [74.5%]) than the combined cohorts with normal postoperative CEA (n = 857 [89.4%]) (P = .001). The hazard function of recurrence for elevated postoperative CEA peaked earlier than for the other cohorts. Multivariate analyses confirmed that elevated postoperative CEA (hazard ratio [HR], 2.0; 95% CI, 1.1-3.5), but not normalized postoperative CEA (HR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.45-1.30), was independently associated with shorter RFS. Elevated preoperative CEA that normalizes after resection is not an indicator of poor prognosis. Routine measurement of postoperative, rather than preoperative, CEA is warranted. Patients with elevated postoperative CEA are at increased risk for recurrence, especially within the first 12 months after surgery.

Laparoscopic Abdominal Transanal Proctocolectomy with Coloanal Anastomosis Is a Good Surgical Option in Selective Patients with Low-Lying Rectal Cancer: A Retrospective Analysis Based on a Single Surgeon's Experience.

We intended to identify the oncological outcome for rectal cancer over the past 20 years and whether or not sphincter-preserving surgery is an appropriate approach for low-lying rectal cancer. The oncological outcomes from a total of 418 patients who electively underwent rectal cancer surgery for a lesion located within 8 cm of the anal verge by a single colorectal surgeon were reviewed retrospectively. Of 418 patients, 175 patients underwent low anterior resection (LAR), 172 laparoscopic abdominal transanal proctocolectomy with coloanal anastomosis (LATA), and 71 abdominoperineal resection (APR). The factors related to the disease-free survival (DFS) were neoadjuvant chemoradiation (P = .016), pathologic stage (P < .001), circumferential margin involvement (P < .001), and initial (P = .016) and postoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen level (P < .001). The factors related to the overall survival (OS) were similar with those related to DFS. Compared with DFS, OS, and local recurrence among three surgical techniques, APR was significantly poorer in DFS (P < .001), OS (P < .001), and local recurrence (P = .001), than was LAR or LATA. The LATA procedure is a technically feasible and oncologically safe surgical option for low-lying rectal cancer. We suggest that LATA may be a good surgical option in selective low-lying rectal cancer patients.

EGFR expression in patients with stage III colorectal cancer after adjuvant chemotherapy and on cancer cell function.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/RAS/RAF/MEK/MAPK pathway plays a crucial role in the carcinogenesis, invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, its role in the prognosis and prediction of relapse in patients with stage III CRC after adjuvant chemotherapy remains controversial. In the present study, the clinicopathological features of 173 patients with stage III CRC who underwent radical resection and adjuvant chemotherapy with the fluoropyrimidine/folinic acid, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) regimen, and their prognostic values of EGFR expression were retrospectively analyzed. By conducting an in vitro CRC cell line study through the knockdown of EGFR expression, we analyzed cell proliferation, colony formation and migration. Positive EGFR expression and an abnormal postoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level were found to be significant independent negative predictive factors for postoperative relapse. Furthermore, positive EGFR expression was a significant independent negative prognostic factor for disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Additionally, an in vitro cell line study showed that the knockdown of EGFR expression significantly reduced CRC cell proliferation, colony formation and migration. The results of in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that EGFR expression had a prognostic value for OS and DFS, as well as predictive roles for postoperative relapse, in patients with stage III CRC. By analyzing both EGFR expression and the postoperative CEA, the patients with stage III CRC who were at a high risk of postoperative relapse, or mortality following adjuvant chemotherapy could be identified. In short, CRC cells with EGFR expression would exhibit a highly malignant behavior.

Pre-operative to post-operative serum carcinoembryonic antigen ratio is a prognostic indicator in colorectal cancer.

We explored the prognostic significance of the pre-operative-to-post-operative serum carcinoembryonic antigen (pre-post-CEA) ratio in colorectal cancer (CRC). We detected pre- and post-operative CEA levels in 2035 CRC patients surgically treated at First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between June 2001 and June 2011. Univariate analysis revealed the pre-post-CEA ratio is associated with distant metastasis and degree of tumor differentiation (both P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that the pre-post-CEA ratio is associated with lymphatic and distant metastasis, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage and degree of tumor differentiation (all P < 0.01). The pre-CEA levels, pre-post-CEA ratios, distant metastasis, TNM stage and degree of tumor differentiation were all associated with 5-yr overall survival (all P < 0.05) based on multivariate analysis. Consequently, pre-CEA levels, pre-post-CEA ratios, distant metastasis and TNM stage are independent risk factors for CRC. We have thus demonstrated that the pre-post-CEA ratio is a prognostic indicator for CRC patients.

Postoperative CYFRA 21-1 and CEA as prognostic factors in patients with stage I pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

BackgroundPatients with pathological stage I pulmonary adenocarcinoma have different postoperative prognosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prognostic significance of preoperative and postoperative serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CYFRA 21-1 in patients with pathological stage I pulmonary adenocarcinoma.Material and MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the data of 123 patients who had undergone a complete resection for pathological stage I pulmonary adenocarcinoma between 2004 and 2014. The clinical data of each patient including age, gender, preoperative and postoperative serum CEA and CYFRA 21-1 levels, and pathologic stage, was collected for analysis.ResultsThe CYFRA 21-1 and CEA level was persistently normal in 80.5% and 77.2% of all patients with p-stage I ADC, respectively. The preoperative level was elevated and postoperative level declined to normal for CYFRA 21-1 and CEA were in 10.6% and 13.0% of all patients, respectively. The postoperative CYFRA 21-1 and CEA level were high in 8.9% and 9.8% of all patients, respectively. The postoperative 5-year survival rate of patients with normal, only preoperative high, and postoperative high CYFRA 21-1 level was 92.6%, 92.3% and 43.8%, respectively. There was a significant difference between postoperative high group and the other two groups (p = 0.002). The postoperative 5-year survival rate of patients with normal, only preoperative high, and postoperative high CEA level was 90.8%, 92.3%, and 70.1%, respectively. There was a significant difference between postoperative high group and the other two groups (p = 0.019). In univariate analysis, degree of differentiation, visceral pleural invasion, tumor size, and pTNM stage, was found to be significant independent prognostic factor (p = 0.014). Multivariate analysis showed that pTNM stage, postoperative CYFRA 21-1 high level, and postoperative CEA high level was related to the poor prognosis.ConclusionsPatients of p-stage I ADC with postoperative high serum level of either CEA or CYFRA 21-1 had poor prognosis. Carefully followed-up might be necessary to rule out occult metastasis for these patients, and further clinical studies will be necessary to evaluate the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy or target therapy. Postoperative high serum level of CEA or CYFRA 21-1 might be a subtype of p-stage I ADC.

A Prospective Study of Comparing Multi-Gene Biomarker Chip and Serum Carcinoembryonic Antigen in the Postoperative Surveillance for Patients with Stage I-III Colorectal Cancer.

BackgroundCirculating biomarkers can predict clinical outcomes in colorectal cancer patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of our multigene biomarker chip for detecting circulating tumor cells for postoperative surveillance of stage I–III colorectal cancer patients.Materials and MethodsIn total, 298 stage I–III colorectal cancer patients were analyzed after curative resection between June 2010 and October 2014. During each follow-up, a postoperative surveillance strategy, including ESMO Guidelines Working Group recommendations and the biochip, was used.ResultsAfter a 28.4-month median follow-up, 48 (16.1%) patients had postoperative relapse. Univariate analysis revealed that the postoperative relapse risk factors were rectal tumor, perineural invasion, elevated preoperative and postoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen levels, and positive biochip results (all P < 0.05). Multivariate analyses revealed that postoperative relapse correlated significantly with elevated postoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen levels (odds ratio = 4.136, P = 0.008) and positive biochip results (odds ratio = 66.878, P < 0.001). However, the sensitivity (P = 0.003), specificity (P = 0.003), positive (P = 0.002) and negative (P = 0.006) predictive values, and accuracy (P < 0.001) of the biochip for predicting postoperative relapse were significantly higher than those of elevated postoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen levels. Moreover, the median lead time between positive biochip result and postoperative relapse detection was significantly earlier than that between elevated postoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen level and postoperative relapse detection (10.7 vs. 2.8 months, P < 0.001). Furthermore, positive biochip results correlated strongly with lower disease-free survival and overall survival of colorectal cancer patients (both P < 0.001).ConclusionCompared with conventional serum carcinoembryonic antigen detection, our multigene chip aided more accurate and earlier prediction of postoperative relapse during stage I–III colorectal cancer patient surveillance. In clinical practice, this biochip may facilitate early postoperative relapse diagnosis in colorectal cancer patients.

Postoperative Serum CEA Level is a More Significant Prognostic Factor than Post/Preoperative Serum CEA Ratio in Non-small Cell Cancer Patients.

In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with preoperative high serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level, patients with a persistently high serum CEA level after surgery have been reported to have a poor prognosis. In addition, in other cancers, the post/preoperative serum CEA ratio has been reported as a useful parameter. We enrolled 123 NSCLC patients with preoperative high CEA levels (≥ 5 ng/mL) who underwent curative surgery between 2004 and 2011. Prognostic significance of postoperative serum CEA level and the CEA ratio was examined. The 5-year survival of patients with persistently high serum CEA level after surgery was poor. On the other hand, patients with normal postoperative serum CEA levels had significant favorable prognosis. The patients with CEA ratio>1 had poor prognosis, however the number was only 7 (5.7%). The 5-year survival rates of patients with other subgroup based on the CEA ratio (0.5 ≥ CEA ratio and 0.5 ≤ CEA ratio ≤ 1) was similar. Multivariate analysis revealed prognostic significance for the postoperative serum CEA level but not the CEA ratio. For NSCLC patients with preoperative high serum CEA level, their postoperative serum CEA levels is a more significant prognostic factor than the post/preoperative serum CEA ratio.

Risk-Stratified Follow-Up of Patients with Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a differentiated neuroendocrine tumor, mostly slowly growing with a relative good prognosis, with an overall 10-year survival of 61–76% [1,2]. Surgery is the only curative therapy for MTC [3]. After surgery, patients with MTC should be assessed regarding the presence of residual disease, the localization of metastases and the identification of progressive disease. Postoperative staging is used to separate low-risk from high-risk patients with MTC [4]. The TNM system utilizes tumor size, extrathyroidal invasion, nodal metastasis and distant spread of cancer. The number of lymph node metastases and involved compartments as well as postoperative serum calcitonin (CTN) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels should be documented in addition. The normalization of serum CTN levels postoperatively is associated with an excellent prognosis (10-year survival >95%). In patients with elevated basal serum CTN levels less than 150 pg/ml following thyroid ectomy, persistent or recurrent disease is almost always confined to lymph nodes in the neck. Unfortunately, many patients with MTC who have regional lymph node metastases also have systemic disease and are not cured biochemically despite aggressive surgery, including bilateral neck dissection [3,5]. In patients with higher CTN levels distant metastases are suspected, having a poor prognosis, with only 40% surviving 10 years [6]. If the postoperative serum CTN level exceeds 150 pg/ml patients should be evaluated by imaging procedures including neck and chest CT, contrast-enhanced MRI and ultrasound of the liver, bone scintigraphy, MRI of the bone and PET/CT. One can estimate the growth rate of MTC metastases from sequential imaging studies using response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST) [7] that document increases in tumor size over time and by measuring serum levels of CTN or CEA over multiple time points to determine the tumor marker doubling time [8,9]. The treatment goals differ depending on the postoperative tumor stage and the parameters of progressive disease [4]. A risk-stratified follow-up with stage-dependent diagnostic approach and therapy is necessary. One of the main challenges remains to find effective adjuvant and palliative options for patients with metastatic disease. Patients with persistent or recurrent 1

A combination of preoperative CT findings and postoperative serum CEA levels improves recurrence prediction for stage I lung adenocarcinoma

ObjectivesTo assess the prognostic value of combined evaluation of preoperative CT findings and pre/postoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels for pathological stage I lung adenocarcinoma. MethodsThis retrospective study included 250 consecutive patients who underwent complete resection for ≤3-cm pathological stage I (T1–2aN0M0) adenocarcinomas (132 men, 118 women; mean age, 67.8 years). Radiologists evaluated following CT findings: maximum tumor diameter, percentage of solid component (%solid), air bronchogram, spiculation, adjacency of bullae or interstitial pneumonia (IP) around the tumor, notch, and pleural indent. These CT findings, pre/postoperative CEA levels, age, gender, and Brinkman index were assessed by Cox proportional hazards model to determine the best prognostic model. Prognostic accuracy was examined using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). ResultsMedian follow-up period was 73.2 months. In multivariate analysis, high %solid, adjacency of bullae or IP around the tumor, and high postoperative CEA levels comprised the best combination for predicting recurrence (P<0.05). A combination of these three findings had a greater accuracy in predicting 5-year disease-free survival than did %solid alone (AUC=0.853 versus 0.792; P=0.023), with a sensitivity of 85.7% and a specificity of 74.3% at the optimal threshold. The best cut-off values of %solid and postoperative CEA levels for predicting high-risk patients were ≥48% and ≥3.7ng/mL, respectively. ConclusionCompared to %solid alone, combined evaluation of %solid, adjacency of bullae or IP change around the tumor, and postoperative CEA levels improves recurrence prediction for stage I lung adenocarcinoma.

Impact of the post/preoperative serum CEA ratio on the survival of patients with rectal cancer

This study demonstrated the usefulness of the post/preoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) ratio as a predictor of survival after surgery for stage III rectal cancer patients. One hundred and four patients with stage III rectal cancer who underwent surgery between 1991 and 2000 were enrolled. The ratio of the postoperative serum CEA value divided by the preoperative serum CEA value was defined as post/preoperative serum CEA ratio, and the patients were separated into two groups: post/preoperative serum CEA ratio ≤ 1 (n = 86) and >1 (n = 18). The multivariate analyses demonstrated that the intraoperative blood loss, lack of a sphincter-saving procedure and a post/preoperative serum CEA ratio >1 were independent factors predicting a poor prognosis for the overall and disease-free survival. The overall and disease-free survival rates among patients with a high preoperative serum CEA level (>5 ng/ml) or patients with a high postoperative serum CEA (>5 ng/ml) were longer in patients with a post/preoperative serum CEA ratio ≤ 1, in comparison to those with a post/preoperative serum CEA ratio >1. Liver metastasis was observed more frequently in patients with a post/preoperative serum CEA ratio >1. The post/preoperative serum CEA ratio may be a predictor of the prognosis after surgery for stage III rectal cancer patients.

The value of postoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 levels for the early detection of gastric cancer recurrence after curative resection.

PurposeThis study aimed to evaluate the value of serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) levels to detect gastric cancer recurrence.Materials and MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 154 patients who developed recurrence within 2 years after curative gastric cancer surgery and analyzed the relationship between postoperative CEA and CA19-9 levels and recurrence. We readjusted the cut-off values to improve the detection of recurrence. Subgroup analysis according to clinicopathologic variables was performed to further investigate the relationship between recurrence and CEA and CA19-9 levels.ResultsThe sensitivity and specificity for elevated CEA levels to detect recurrence were 40.6% and 89.5%, respectively, and those for CA19-9 were 34.2% and 93.6%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity for elevation of either tumor marker were 54.3% and 84.0%, respectively; those for elevation of both tumor markers were 19.2% and 98.4%, respectively. By readjusting the cut-off values from 5.0 ng/ml to 5.2 ng/ml for CEA and from 37.00 U/ml to 30.0 U/ml for CA19-9, the sensitivity was increased from 34.2% to 40.2% for CA19-9, while there was no increase in sensitivity for CEA. In subgroup analysis, the sensitivity of CEA was higher in patients with elevated preoperative CEA levels than in patients with normal preoperative CEA levels (86.7% versus 33.7%; P<0.001). Furthermore, the sensitivity of CA19-9 was higher in patients with elevated preoperative CA19-9 levels than in patients with normal preoperative CA19-9 levels (82.61% versus 26.83%; P<0.001).ConclusionsCEA and/or CA19-9 measurement with the readjusted cut-off values allows for more effective detection of gastric cancer recurrence.

Prognostic significance of postoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen levels in patients with completely resected pathological-stage I non-small cell lung cancer

BackgroundUntil date, there are no clear recommendations for regular perioperative measurements of serum CEA levels for lung cancer in any guidelines. The purpose in the present study is to evaluate the prognostic significance of perioperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in patients with pathological-stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 263 completely resected pathological-stage I NSCLC patients whose preoperative and postoperative serum CEA levels were measured. Patients were subdivided according to the perioperative change of CEA levels: continuously normal CEA levels (NN group), continuously high CEA levels (HH group), and high preoperative CEA levels that returned to normal levels post-operation (HN group). The clinicopathological factors and overall survival (OS) among these 3 groups were compared. Univariate and multivariate analyses of the correlation between clinicopathological factors and OS were performed.ResultsHigh preoperative CEA levels significantly correlated with men aged >70 years with smoking history, high serum CYFRA 21–1 levels, greater tumor diameter, presence of visceral pleural invasion (VPI), and moderate-to-poor differentiation. Five-year OS rates in the NN and HH groups were 95.5% and 59.3%, respectively. Four-year OS rate in the HN group was 85.5%. Multivariate analyses indicated tumor diameter of more than 30 mm, presence of VPI, and the HH group were independent unfavorable prognostic factors.ConclusionsA high postoperative CEA level was an independent unfavorable prognostic factor in pathological-stage I NSCLC patients. Patients with high postoperative CEA levels may benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy.

The prognosis of gastric cancer patients with marginally elevated carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) values after D2 radical gastrectomy

To investigate the clinical significance of the postoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in gastric cancer patients who underwent D2 radical gastrectomy and to identify the prognostic factors for patients with marginally elevated postoperative CEA levels. We performed a retrospective study of 480 patients who were histologically diagnosed with gastric cancer and who underwent D2 radical surgery at the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between January 2004 and December 2009. The follow-up lasted until June 2011. Chi-squared tests and Kaplan-Meier methods were employed to compare the adverse events and prognoses. In this group of gastric cancer patients, the postoperative serum CEA level (P = 0.002) was an independent prognostic factor; the same was true for the histological T and N staging (P < 0.001 and P = 0.045, respectively). In the group of marginally elevated postoperative CEA level gastric cancer patients, univariate analysis demonstrated that tumor position (P = 0.042); histological grade (P = 0.002); and Boarrmann type (P = 0.003) were significant prognostic factors. Multivariate analysis showed that the tumor position (P = 0.003) and histological grade (P = 0.007) were independent prognostic factors for these patients. Our study showed that patients with normal postoperative CEA levels have a better prognosis. Furthermore, for marginally elevated postoperative CEA level gastric cancer patients, the tumor position and histological grade were two important factors for predicting the prognosis and the need for aggressive therapy.