Colorectal Carcinoma with Extremely Low CA19-9

Abstract EN

Aim.

The aim of this study is to determine the significance of postoperative sequential measurements of serum CA19-9 in patients with extremely low serum level.

Patients and Methods.

Serum level of CA19-9 of 1096 patients who underwent surgery was measured preoperatively and every three months after surgery for 5 years.

Patients with CA19-9 level of less than 2 U/mL at the time of diagnosis were defined as Extremely Low CA19-9 (ELCA).

Results.

One hundred and seven patients (9.8%) were ELCA.

Of these, 86 underwent surgery with curative intent.

Serum levels of CA19-9 in patients who did not undergo curative resection (N=12) and who developed recurrence (N=10) were less than 2.0 U/mL in all occasions during followup.

In all patients without recurrence, serum level of CA19-9 also remained less than 2.0 U/mL.

Conclusion.

In patients with extremely low CA19-9, who consist of 9.8% of colorectal carcinoma cases, postoperative sequential measurement of serum level of CA19-9 contributed neither to assessment of curability of surgical resection nor to detection of recurrence.