Study: Elevated Protein May Warn of Risk of Recurrence

A simple, inexpensive test may predict which colorectal cancer patients face a higher risk of recurrence of the disease, say researchers in the recent issue of the medical journal, Diseases of the Colon and Rectum.

Patients with an elevated level of the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) protein are more likely to face recurrence and even metatasis of their cancer than patients who otherwise appear no different during early treatment, according to this study of colorectal patients at the Singapore General Hospital.

Out of a total of 261 colorectal patients, all of the 85 who had a recurrence had elevated levels of CEA, but none of the patients with normal levels of CEA had a recurrence.

"This study shows that patients thought to have early colorectal cancer without detectable spread to other organs but with elevated CEA levels may benefit from chemotherapy given in conjunction with surgery to improve their chance of long-term survival," concluded Dr. Francis Seow-Choen, colorectal surgeon at Singapore General Hospital.

Other sources: Diseases of the Colon and Rectum