Correlation of single and serial CEA determinations with the clinical evolution of cancer patients

The correlation between CEA results and the clinical evolution of 56 patients with breast and colorectal cancer, was studied. In mammary cancer (41 patients) there was a correspondence of 75% between single initial CEA values and clinical state at the time of the determination. For colorectal cancer patients the correspondence was 80%. A follow up of the patients during 4 years permitted the evaluation of serial CEA results in the prognosis of the disease. Two or more consecutive CEA results with the same significance (increased or normal) correlated better than single values with the clinical evolution of the disease (93% of correspondence). Normal values in patients with active disease were indicative of favourable prognosis; the appearance of single values above normal but below three times the upper normal limit, do not justify changes in the installed therapy. Two or more consecutive increased results are indicative of present or future deterioration of the patient. Cases of non-correspondence between consecutive serial. CEA results and clinical evolution of the patient are considered as "real false results" (7%). Serial CEA determination resulted very useful in the follow up of the oncological patient in the frame of other laboratory and diagnostic means, as a part of the periodic clinical control.