Clinical significance of combined assay of serum tumor markers in patients with gastrocolonic carcinoma

Objective To evaluate the clinical significance of combined serum tumor markers assay in patients with gastric or colorectal carcinoma. Methods Serum level of 12 common tumor markers, including CA19-9,NSE,CEA,CA242 Jerritin,Beta-HCG,AFP,free-PSA,PSA,CA125,HGH and CA153, was measured with multi-tumor markers protein biochip detective system in 179 cases of gastric and colorectal carcinoma, 82 patients with benign digestive disease and 160 healthy volunteers. Results Cancer patients had significantly higher positive rates than that of two other controls (P 0. 01) . The levels of 5 serum tumor markers (CA19-9,CEA,CA242,CA125 and CA153) were significantly higher in gastric cancer and colorectal carcinoma than that of two other controls ( P 0. 01). The simultaneously combined assay raised sensitivity (72.07%%) and negative predictive rate (79.25%); the serial combined assay raised specificity (92. 15%) and positive predictive rate (84.67%). The recurrence or metastasis rate was 68. 89% in patients whose serum tumor markers failed to decrease to normal after operation. The recurrence or metastasis rate was 77. 78% in patients whose serum tumor markers reelevated after operation. Conclusion Combined serum tumor markers assay is of value for the diagnosis and postoperative follow up of gastric and colorectal carcinoma.