Hepatogastroenterology

The two groups were well balanced in characteristics. Among the 3 markers, CA72.4 appeared highest in sensitivity (35.2%) while CEA had the lowest sensitivity. The sensitivity of triple-marker was 62.0%. We found that CEA, CA19-9 and CA72.4 elevated 2-4 months before imaging demonstration. If the cut-off values of CEA and CA19-9 were set twice as the upper limit of the normal, the specificities will increase to 98.6% and 94.4%, respectively. The sensitivity of single marker (CEA or CA 2.4) was 33.3% in predicting peritoneal metastasis, triple-marker had the highest sensitivity (66.7%).

The combined of CEA, CA19-9 and CA72.4 had 62.0% sensitivity in the diagnosis of recurrence after radical surgery. Patients whose tumor markers continue to increase should be highly suspected for relapse.