Value of combined serum CEA, CA72-4, and CA19-9 marker detection in diagnosis of colorectal cancer.

backgroundThe aim of this study was to examine whether the combination of serum tumor markers (carcinoembryonic antigen [CEA], carbohydrate antigen [CA]72-4, CA19-9) improves sensitivity and accuracy in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer and precancerous lesion tubular adenoma.

methodsAn automatic electrochemiluminescence immunoassay with matched kits (ECLIA) was performed on a Roche Cobas e411 analyzer to determine the levels of serum CEA, CA72-4, and CA19-9 in 35 patients with early colorectal cancer, 87 patients with tubular adenoma, and 58 healthy people undergoing colonoscopy after positive fecal immunochemical test (FIT) in a colorectal cancer screening program 2021 January to April. The values of these three tumor markers in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer and tubular adenoma were analyzed.

results180 patients (92 female and 88 male) were included into the study. We compared serum CEA, CA72-4 and CA19-9 markers among 3 groups: healthy people (mean age 64,0 ±8,6), patients with tubular adenoma (mean age 62,7 ± 6,4) and colorectal cancer (mean age 59,2 ±6,2). The levels of serum CEA, CA72-4, and CA19-9 were higher in the colorectal cancer group than in the tubular adenoma group and healthy subjects, and these differences were significant (p < 0.05). The combination of CEA, CA72-4, and CA19-9 had a higher diagnostic value for colorectal cancer compared to single markers, and the positive detection rate was 54.3%. The diagnostic power when using all three markers was the best, and applied for colorectal cancer and tubular adenoma.

conclusionsThe combination of CA72-4, CEA, and CA19-9 markers increases the sensitivity and accuracy in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer and can thus be considered an important tool for early colorectal diagnosis.