USE OF SERIAL CARCINOEMBRYONIC ANTIGEN DETERMINATIONS TO PREDICT RECURRENCE OF CARCINOMA OF COLON AND TIME FOR A 2ND-LOOK OPERATION

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 147  (2) , 208-210
Abstract
Patients demonstrated that serial carcinoembryonic antigen determinations contributed to the detection of recurrent tumor and shortening the delay between carcinoembryonic antigen elevation and reoperation resulted in an increase from 27 to 78% in instances of resectable recurrent tumor encountered. If these results continue to be substantiated, the carcinoembryonic antigen assay had made a significant contribution in the control of this disease. Serial carcinoembryonic antigen assays should be performed every 2 mo. All benign inflammatory conditions that cause carcinoembryonic antigen elevations must be searched for, and ruled out, before reoperation is decided on. The physician must be cognizant not only of the significance of the assay but also of the limitations, and he must rely heavily on his clinical judgment.