From the Research
Significance of Positive CA 19-9 in Colon Cancer Patients
- A positive CA 19-9 level in a patient with a history of colon cancer is associated with a poor prognosis, as indicated by studies 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
- Elevated CA 19-9 levels have been linked to advanced stages of colorectal cancer, increased risk of recurrence, and decreased overall survival 2, 3, 4, 5.
- The combination of CA 19-9 and CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen) levels can provide more information for prognosis of recurrence and survival in colon cancer patients than CEA alone 1.
- A high preoperative CA 19-9 level is an independent factor associated with poor disease-free survival and overall survival in patients with stage III colon cancer 2.
- CA 19-9 levels over 37 U/ml are highly specific for accelerated disease progression after cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) in patients with colorectal peritoneal metastases 4.
- Measuring CA 19-9 levels concomitantly with CEA levels may provide a valuable means to improve prognostication in patients with advanced colorectal cancer, including obstructive colorectal cancer 5.
Prognostic Value of CA 19-9
- CA 19-9 has been shown to be a predictor of recurrence in patients with colorectal cancer, with positive tumor expression and high preoperative serum levels associated with increased cancer mortality 3.
- Elevated CA 19-9 levels are associated with poorly differentiated tumors, abnormal CEA levels, and a high cumulative incidence of lung metastasis in patients with stage III colon cancer 2.
- CA 19-9 is an independent factor associated with poor disease-free survival and overall survival in patients with colorectal peritoneal metastases treated with CRS/HIPEC 4.
- A high CA 19-9 level is independently associated with poor disease-free survival and overall survival in patients with obstructive colorectal cancer treated with a self-expandable metallic stent and curative surgery 5.