Serum CEA and CA19-9 Levels are Associated with the Presence and Severity of Colorectal Neoplasia

BACKGROUND: High concentrations of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) were found in the serum of patients with colon cancer. We performed the present work to investigate the association between elevated levels of serum biomarkers (CEA and CA19-9) and shortened survival in patients with colon cancer. METHODS: We examined patients who underwent colonoscopies between 2001 and 2014 and measured and analyzed the serum CEA and CA19-9 levels of 362 participants. RESULTS: Elevated CEA concentrations were found to be associated with advanced invasion, lymph node metastasis, and short survival. Elevated CA19-9 concentrations also were associated with lymph node metastasis and short survival. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated serum CEA or CA19-9 levels were found to be associated with shortened survival.