Der Radioimmunoassay zur Ermittlung des carcinoembryonalen Antigens (CEA), seine Bedeutung und Limitierung während der postoperativen Kontrollperiode von Patienten mit colorectalem Carcino

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a tumor marker defined by specific heterologous antisera. Elevated levels of circulating CEA can be detected by radioimmunoassay in most cases of colorectal carcinoma, depending on the degree of tumor spread. The fact that elevation of CEA level can also be observed in other types of carcinomas and in several nonmalignant conditions greatly limits the value of the CEA test for the early diagnosis of colorectal carcinomas. Repeated CEA measurements and their critical interpretation, however, appear to be of importance after tumor resection for the detection of tumor recurrence during the postoperative follow-up period.