Serum CEA and CA 19-9 along the colorectal Adenoma – Carcinoma sequence

Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks the sixth among the commonest ten cancers in Iraq. It is a major public health problem and there is renewed interest in understanding the basic principles of its molecular biology. Objective Assessment of serum CEA and CA19-9 levels in human colorectal tumors and their correlation with different clincopathological parameters Methods The study was prospectively designed, sixty serum samples from patients with colorectal tumors (including 30 from patients with colorectal adenoma and 30 from patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma), and 30 serum samples from apparently normal colorectal taken from healthy persons were included in this study. Quantitative measurement of Carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) and Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) using VIDAS automated instrument was done. Results The mean value of CEA was significantly higher in patients with colorectal carcinoma in comparison to colorectal adenoma and healthy controls (p<0.0005), and it was not significantly different in colorectal adenomas in comparison to healthy controls. CEA levels was significantly higher in large size adenomas (?1cm), and those with severe dysplasia. There was significant correlation between CEA and stage C2 in colorectal carcinoma (p<0.0005). The mean value of CA19-9 was higher in patients with colorectal carcinoma in comparison to colorectal adenoma (p=0.001) and healthy controls (p<0.0005), and it was not significantly different in colorectal adenomas in comparison to healthy controls . CA19-9 levels was significantly higher in large size adenomas (?1cm), and those with severe dysplasia. CA19-9 levels was significantly higher in stage C2 of colorectal carcinoma Conclusions CEA and CA19-9 levels are significantly correlated with size and degree of dysplasia of adenoma and stage of carcinoma. CEA is more sensitive than CA19-9 in adenoma and colorectal carcinoma.