The use of tumor markers as predictors of prognosis in gastric cancer.

Background/aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen (CA19-9) levels in patients with gastric cancer.
Methodology: During the period January 2000 and January 2003, 36 patients operated for primary gastric cancer, at Sisli Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Department of General Surgery, were analyzed. Serum CEA and CA19-9 levels were determined preoperatively and the correlation between the elevated levels of tumor markers and several clinicopathological features, and survival were evaluated.
Results: Elevated serum CEA and CA19-9 levels were determined in 10 of 35 patients (28.6%), and 9 of 31 patients (29%), respectively, and both markers were elevated in 3 of 31 patients (9.6%). Elevated levels of CEA correlated with depth of invasion (p=0.018) and pathological stage (p=0.029); elevated levels of CA19-9 correlated with lymph node metastasis (p=0.026); and elevated levels of both markers correlated well with lymph node metastasis (p=0.031). The survival of patients with normal CEA levels was significantly better than those with elevated levels (p=0.0072).
Conclusions: Preoperative serum CEA and CA19-9 levels may add useful information in patients with gastric carcinoma, and CEA level is a predictor of prognosis.