Serum Carcinoembryonic Antigen and DNA Ploidy in Colorectal Carcinoma

A Prospective Study

M. Kouri Dept. of Radiotherapy and Oncology and Second Dept. of Surgery, University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland; Pathology Laboratory of the Dept. of Radiotherapy and Oncology and Dept. of Bacteriology and Immunology, Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland; Dept. of Pathology, Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland

S. Pyrhönen Dept. of Radiotherapy and Oncology and Second Dept. of Surgery, University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland; Pathology Laboratory of the Dept. of Radiotherapy and Oncology and Dept. of Bacteriology and Immunology, Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland; Dept. of Pathology, Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland

J.-P. Mecklin Dept. of Radiotherapy and Oncology and Second Dept. of Surgery, University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland; Pathology Laboratory of the Dept. of Radiotherapy and Oncology and Dept. of Bacteriology and Immunology, Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland; Dept. of Pathology, Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland

H. Järvinen Dept. of Radiotherapy and Oncology and Second Dept. of Surgery, University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland; Pathology Laboratory of the Dept. of Radiotherapy and Oncology and Dept. of Bacteriology and Immunology, Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland; Dept. of Pathology, Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland

A. Laasonen Dept. of Radiotherapy and Oncology and Second Dept. of Surgery, University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland; Pathology Laboratory of the Dept. of Radiotherapy and Oncology and Dept. of Bacteriology and Immunology, Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland; Dept. of Pathology, Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland

K. Franssila Dept. of Radiotherapy and Oncology and Second Dept. of Surgery, University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland; Pathology Laboratory of the Dept. of Radiotherapy and Oncology and Dept. of Bacteriology and Immunology, Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland; Dept. of Pathology, Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland

P. Kuusela Dept. of Radiotherapy and Oncology and Second Dept. of Surgery, University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland; Pathology Laboratory of the Dept. of Radiotherapy and Oncology and Dept. of Bacteriology and Immunology, Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland; Dept. of Pathology, Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland

S. Nordling Dept. of Radiotherapy and Oncology and Second Dept. of Surgery, University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland; Pathology Laboratory of the Dept. of Radiotherapy and Oncology and Dept. of Bacteriology and Immunology, Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland; Dept. of Pathology, Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland

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Abstract

We have analysed the relationship between carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and DNA ploidy prospectively in 130 colorectal carcinoma patients. CEA was elevated preoperatively significantly more often in patients with DNA-aneuploid tumours than in DNA-diploid or DNA-tetraploid tumours—that is, in 48% (36 of 75) of patients with aneuploid tumours, in 34% (14 of 41) of patients with diploid tumours, but only in 14% (2 of 14) of patients with tetraploid tumours (p < 0.05). Aneuploid tumours had an elevated CEA level in 38% of stage A-B disease and in 61% of stage C-D disease. The elevated CEA values (≥5.0 μg/1) correlated with tumour stage in patients with aneuploid tumours but not in patients with diploid tumours. Whereas CEA is a suitable marker for aneuploid carcinomas, other more sensitive tumour markers should be sought for diploid and also for tetraploid tumours. If such markers are found, flow cytometry could provide the most important information in selecting individual follow-up programmes for colorectal cancer patients.

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Serum Carcinoembryonic Antigen and DNA Ploidy in Colorectal Carcinoma

A Prospective Study

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Serum Carcinoembryonic Antigen and DNA Ploidy in Colorectal Carcinoma

A Prospective Study

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