Immunoglobulins, complement and carcinoembryonic antigen in patients with gastric carcinoma

Immunoglobulins, complement components, carcinoembryonic antigen and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were quantified in patients with gastric carcinoma preoperatively and during follow-up. At the time of diagnosis the individual patient with gastric carcinoma may be given a score that predicts the extent of his disease and his prognosis. In the disease-free period after potentially curative surgery a patient can be grouped according to whether he belongs to those with a fair prognosis or a poor prognosis. Serial testing postoperatively may corroborate the clinical interpretation of the initial signs of recurrence. The methods are simple and the variables are obtainable from a sample of blood in a routine immunological laboratory at low cost.