Serum Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9 as an Indicator of LiverMetastasis in Colorectal Carcinoma Cases

Purpose: The liver is the organ to which colorectal carcinomas (CRCs) most commonly metastasize, andsurgical resection has been established as the most effective and potentially curative treatment for CRC withliver metastasis (LM). Therefore, surveillance of LM is vital for improvement of prognosis of CRC patients. Inthis study, we aimed to explore the potential value of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9), carcinoembryonicantigen (CEA), and marker enzymes in indicating LM with CRC.
Methods: Three groups of eligible patientswith metastatic cancers were retrospectively included: CRC patients with LM (CRC-LM) or without LM (CRCNLM),and non-CRC patients with LM (NCRC-LM). All metastatic lesions were identified by CT or MRI. Dataon characteristics of the patients, the primary site, the locations of metastasis, CA 19-9, CEA, and biochemicalparameters were collected for analysis.
Results: A total of 493 patients were retrospectively included. Morealcohol consumption was found in CRC-LM than CRC-NLM. Some biochemical enzymes were found to besignificantly higher in groups with LM than without (CRC-LM or NCRC-LM v.s CRC-NLM). Both CEA andCA 19-9 were much higher in CRC-LM than CRC-NLM or NCRC-LM. For CRC patients, CA 19-9, γ-glutamyltranspeptidase, CEA and alcohol consumption were identified as independent factors associated with LM.
Conclusion: Our analysis suggested the CA 19-9 might be a potential valuable indicator for LM of CRC in theclinic.