Introduction: Carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA) serves as a biomarker for gastrointestinal cancers, with high levels often indicating a poor prognosis. Specifically, CEA levels above 10 µg/L are associated with unfavorable outcomes, and those exceeding 20 µg/L are linked to metastatic disease. This investigation aims to explore the relationship between elevated preoperative CEA levels and the survival and prognosis of colon cancer patients at our institution. Materials and Methods: This study was designed as a single-center, retrospective analysis involving colon cancer patients who underwent surgery at *** from 2012 to 2022. Patients were stratified based on preoperative CEA levels into three groups: 3-10 µg/L (low-high), 10-20 µg/L (moderately high), and over 20 µg/L (very high). The study compared demographic data, pathological features, and survival outcomes across these groups. Results: The study included 226 patients, 124 males and 102 females, with an average age of 61 years. Analysis revealed no significant difference in TNM and pathological stages among the groups. Notably, higher CEA levels were significantly correlated with increased instances of venous, perineural and lymphatic invasion. The occurrence of local, para-aortic, and peritoneal recurrences did not significantly differ across the groups, although liver metastasis was more prevalent in the first group. Discussion: The findings highlight a significant link between high preoperative CEA levels and an increased risk of lymphovascular and perineural invasion in colon cancer patients. This association underscores the potential for tailoring more intensive treatment regimens for patients with elevated CEA levels,including the possibility of enhanced chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
Aydın et al. (Tue,) studied this question.