Role of CEA—A Challenge of a Verdict

摘要: To the Editor.— The recent article by Moertel et al (239:1065, 1978) leaves reader with a pessimistic impression that "the CEA [carcinoembryonic antigen] assay is not sensitive test for early detection of recurrence colorectal cancer." Furthermore, authors are also concerned about "needless anxiety produced premature knowledge presence fatal disease" in those (unfortunate?) cases where rising levels may be helpful because "our limited therapeutic accomplishments under these circumstances." It clear from patient population studied only pelvic (local and regional) were selected study. In all fairness, patients represent no more than 50% total cancer at risk after potentially curative surgery primary lesion. this regard, seem to ignore relevant observations made