Serial CEA levels in colorectal carcinoma on adjuvant immuno (chemo) therapy

J Surg Oncol. 1978;10(6):511-7. doi: 10.1002/jso.2930100606.

Abstract

Serial CEA levels have been studied preoperatively, and one day, 10--15 days, four months, and eight months after surgery in a group of colon cancer patients who started soon after surgery a protocol of adjuvant immuno(chemo)therapy with Levamisole R and BCG R. Results showed a decrease of mean values of plasma CEA levels from preoperatively to four months after surgery, while eight months after surgery a slight increase was noted. Some of the patients in whom disease recurred showed persistent high levels of CEA, while one patient was consistently a false-negative notwithstanding a bone recurrence. While the prognostic value of serial CEA determinations is confirmed, the possibility of restarting (or intensifying) a protocol of adjuvant immunochemotherapy given high CEA levels and a negative clinical picture is discussed.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • BCG Vaccine / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoembryonic Antigen / analysis*
  • Colonic Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Colonic Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Colonic Neoplasms / therapy
  • Diagnostic Errors
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Levamisole / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Rectal Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Rectal Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Rectal Neoplasms / therapy
  • Recurrence

Substances

  • BCG Vaccine
  • Carcinoembryonic Antigen
  • Levamisole