[Preoperative serum levels of the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and prognosis in colorectal cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prognostic value of the preoperative serum levels of the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in primary colorectal carcinoma.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Preoperative serum levels of CEA were analyzed in 275 colorectal cancer patients, who were followed up for a minimum of 5 years, or until death.

RESULTS: The percentage of positivities for the preoperative serum levels of CEA (> 6 ng/ml) was positively and significantly associated with the tumoral stage (A: 10,5%; B: 38,8%; C: 32,2%; y D: 72%; p < 0,0001). In addition, the elevated serum values of the antigen were significantly associated, in the univariate analysis, with short survival in the overall group of patients (p < 0,0001). However, the multivariate analysis only showed an independent prognosis value of the CEA in the subgroup of patients with stage C tumors.

CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative serum levels of CEA may be useful to predict tumoral extension, and also for the prognosis regarding stage C colorectal cancer patients.