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  • Title: Carcinoembryonic antigen levels as an indicator for reoperation in patients with carcinoma of the colon and rectum.
    Author: Cohen AM, Wood WC.
    Journal: Surg Gynecol Obstet; 1979 Jul; 149(1):22-6. PubMed ID: 451823.
    Abstract:
    The experience from the University of Minnesota with routine reoperations in cancers classified as Dukes' C suggests only a small minority of patients found to have asymptomatic recurrences will benefit from an additional operation. Also, morbidity and mortality will be significant. The presence of a rising carcinoembryonic antigen level following a potentially curative operation has been suggested as a more selective indicator for reoperation. Unfortunately, carcinoembryonic antigen levels are a far more sensitive indicator of hepatic metastases, the group usually not helped by operation. Patients with local-regional recurrent carcinoma of the colon and rectum--the group most likely to benefit from reoperation--often have normal carcinoembryonic antigen levels. The importance of patient selectivity for reoperation and the usefulness of the Astler-Coller staging system to define risk factors are stressed.
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