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Do we really benefit from checking tumor markers in detecting recurrence in gastrointestinal cancer?
1Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Medical Oncology, Istanbul, Turkey.
Purpose:
To evaluate the role of tumor markers carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CA 19.9 in the early detection of local or systemic recurrence in gastrointestinal malignancies.
Patients And Methods:
Twenty-six patients with operable gastrointestinal cancer, who had elevated levels of either CEA or CA 19.9 or both during the postoperative follow-up period were evaluated. Serum estimation of tumor markers were carried out at 3-month intervals and the imaging and endoscopic procedures were performed at 6-month intervals or when a patient had an elevated tumor marker during follow-up.
Results:
The difference of mean serum levels of CA 19.9 but not of CEA was found to be statistically significant between the two groups of patients with or without radiographically / endoscopically evident recurrent disease (p < 0.05).
Conclusion:
CA 19.9 was found to be a better, though not specific, indicator of recurrence. The relative small number of patients precludes reaching a firm conclusion. Further studies are needed to establish the role of these markers in determining early recurrence and their impact in overall survival.
