The Prognostic Value of CA19-9 in Patients with Colorectal Cancer

PURPOSE: There has been much debate about the significance of the CA19-9 level for predicting the prognosis of colorectal cancer patients. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of the preoperative serum CA19-9 level and the CA19-9 expression in the tumor tissues of colorectal cancer patients METHODS: One hundred patients with colorectal cancer and who had been treated by resection were studied. We assessed the correlations of the preoperative serum CA19-9 level and the status of the CA19-9 immunohistochemical staining with the clinicopathologic features, including the prognosis of the patients. RESULTS: The preoperative serum CA19-9 level had significant correlation with the status of CA19-9 immunohistochemical staining. The presence of distant metastasis was significantly correlated with an elevated level of serum CA19-9. The depth of tumor, the presence of lymph node metastasis, the TNM stage and tumor cell differentiation were significantly correlated with the status of the CA19-9 immunohistochemical staining. In addition, the gross morphology, depth of tumor, the presence of lymph node metastasis, the TNM stage, the status of the CA19-9 immunohistochemical staining and the serum CEA level were correlated with survival on univariate analysis. However, multivariate analysis did not validate the status of CA19-9 immunohistochemical staining as a significantly independent predictor of the prognosis. CONCLUSION: The CA19-9 expression was frequently observed in advanced stage tumor tissue, yet its expression in tumor tissue or the preoperative CA19-9 serum level did not show independent prognostic value for colorectal cancer patients.

Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor after Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma / 한국간담췌외과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent angiogenic factor. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a typical hypervascular tumor and VEGF may play a important role in its carcinogensis and progression. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) which is one of the therapeutic modalities of HCC induces hypoxia to the tumor. VEGF is known to be up-regulated by hypoxia. In this study, we examined the level of VEGF in the course of TACE. METHODS: Twenty-two HCC patients were enrolled in this study. Serum VEGF level was investigated before and 1, 5 and 10 days after TACE. The correlation of clinical factors of patients and the level of serum VEGF before TACE was evaluated. Platelet count was also measured with VEGF. RESULTS: Mean serum VEGF level increased significantly 1 and 5 days after TACE. Platelet count decreased significantly 1 day after TACE. Serum VEGF level was positively correlated with platelet count before and 1 day after TACE. CONCLUSION: TACE may increase the serum level of VEGF induced by hypoxia.