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Carcinoembryonic Antigen
Abstract
The level of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is often elevated in the serum of patients with cancer. This article reviews the clinical usefulness of this observation. Carcinoembryonic antigen is not useful for detecting asymptomatic cancer; its sensitivity and specificity are not high, particularly for early stages of disease, so in populations with low prevalence of disease there are many false-positive and false-negative results. Similarly, the antigen level cannot, by itself, provide enough diagnostic certainty to confirm or rule out suspected cancer. For some cancers, antigen levels at the time of diagnosis provide more precise prognosis than staging alone, but this information does not lead to more effective treatment. Serial measurement of CEA levels after surgery in patients with colorectal cancer can detect recurrences early, but few lives can be saved by this approach. Thus, CEA assays provide accurate information about some aspects of cancer but rarely lead to better outcomes for patients.
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Cited by
Grading quality of evidence and strength of recommendations for diagnostic tests and strategies
Schünemann, H. J., Oxman, A. D., Brozek, J., Glasziou, P., Jaeschke, R., Vist, G. E., Williams, J. W., Kunz, R., Craig, J., Montori, V. M., et al. (2008) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.39500.677199.ae · Cited by 1,782
The STARD Statement for Reporting Studies of Diagnostic Accuracy: Explanation and Elaboration
Bossuyt, P. M., Reitsma, J. B., Bruns, D. E., Gatsonis, C. A., Glasziou, P. P., Irwig, L. M., Moher, D., Rennie, D., de Vet, H. C. W., & Lijmer, J. G. (2003) · Annals of Internal Medicine · doi:10.7326/0003-4819-138-1-200301070-00012-w1 · Cited by 1,124
Carcinoembryonic Antigen in the Staging and Follow-up of Patients with Colorectal Cancer
Goldstein, M. J., & Mitchell, E. P. (2005) · Cancer Investigation · doi:10.1081/cnv-58878 · Cited by 419
Labianca, R., Beretta, G. D., Kildani, B., Milesi, L., Merlin, F., Mosconi, S., Pessi, M. A., Prochilo, T., Quadri, A., Gatta, G., et al. (2010) · Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology · doi:10.1016/j.critrevonc.2010.01.010 · Cited by 409
SOX, H. C. (1986) · Annals of Internal Medicine · doi:10.7326/0003-4819-104-1-60 · Cited by 364
Metadata
- Authors
- FLETCHER, R. H.
- Venue
- Annals of Internal Medicine
- Publisher
- American College of Physicians
- Published
- 1986-01-01
- Volume
- 104
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 66-73
- ISSN
- 0003-4819 (ISSN-L)
- 1539-3704
- OpenAlex
- W4256179691
- Cited by
- 473
- References
- 0
- FWCI
- 7.40
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
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