RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to identify morphologic parameters of colorectal adenocarcinoma which may be of influence in the increase of preoperatory CEA serum levels. METHOD: This study includes 127 patients on whom colectomy was performed. Twenty-eight morphologic parameters were analyzed in each surgical specimen. Serum determinations were made by enzymatic immunoassay. A multivariate study (logistic regression analysis) was made. Independent risk factors for CEA serum elevation were Cytologic Atypia (odd ratio: 2.85) Infiltrative Growth Pattern (odd ratio: 2.91) and the presence of tumoral cell infiltration directly among adipocytes (odd ratio: 2.62). When clinical variables (age, sex, tumor location, perforation, occlusion, hepatic metastases and peritoneal carcinomatosis) were added the infiltrative growth pattern (odd ratio: 3.12) and cytologic atypia persisted as independent risk factors, together with the clinical variable Hepatic Metastases (odd ratio: 24.84). CONCLUSION: In our series the morphologic variables Infiltrative Growth Pattern and Cytologic Atypia are independently related with CEA serum increase and are not influenced by the variable Hepatic Metastases.
