International Journal of Contemporary Research in Multidisciplinary

Introduction:

The contribution of biology concerning its approach in colorectal cancer (CRC) has been documented in many studies. The aim of this work is to highlight the usefulness of tumor markers in clinical practice in patients with CRC.

Methods:

The dosing of markers was performed before and after chemotherapy in locally advanced or metastatic CRC patients.

Results:

The initial biological values of CEA and CA19-9 varied according to the clinical stage and attested to a sensitivity and a significant difference before and after palliative chemotherapy of the metastatic stages. Furthermore, an increase in markers was correlated with a decrease in survival and a poor prognosis.

Discussion:

Tumor markers had several interests as factors of poor prognosis, essential in therapeutic evaluation, monitoring and in the event of radiological uncertainty or immeasurable disease. CEA may initially be normal in poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma and elevate in several benign situations. Its role in predicting therapeutic response is uncertain.

Conclusion:

CEA and CA19-9 are useful in colorectal pathology. Their prescription is frequent, expensive and sometimes inadequate. It can be the source of doubt and can generate  anxiety for the clinician  and the patient and must be the subject of change in the clinical and therapeutic care.