Premium
Predictive value of serial carcinoembryonic antigen levels in long‐term follow‐up of ovarian cancer
Author(s) -
Khoo Soo Keat,
Whitaker Sue,
Jones Ian,
MacKay Eric
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(197906)43:6<2471::aid-cncr2820430644>3.0.co;2-e
Subject(s) - carcinoembryonic antigen , medicine , ovarian cancer , predictive value , cancer , disease , oncology , gastroenterology , ovarian tumor
The predictive value of serial levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in tumor monitoring was examined in 213 patients with ovarian cancer; each patient had been followed‐up at monthly intervals for at least 12 months. CEA was not detectable throughout the period of observation in 35% of the patients. In general, patterns showing a disappearance of CEA or persistently low levels were associated with a good prognosis, whereas those showing a reappearance or highly elevated and rising levels were associated with a poor prognosis. A transient reappearance of CEA was observed in 10 patients; this did not appear to be associated with tumor recurrence or progression. “False positive” results were obtained in 6 patients in whom no tumor has been clinically detectable to date. “False negative” results were obtained in 4 patients with obvious tumor progression. In terms of a good or poor prognosis, the use of CEA levels was highly accurate in patients with minimal or no residual disease (97% and 89%, respectively); the rate fell to 62% in patients with extensive disease. As the clinical significance and limitations become better known, serial CEA levels should contribute substantially to the monitoring of patients with ovarian cancer.