[Radioimmunological determination of tumor markers in the diagnosis of recurrences of rectal cancer].

The levels of tumor markers were determined in 173 patients with rectal cancer recurrences by radioimmunoassay. An increase in a CEA level was observed most frequently (92.5%). An increase in the levels of alpha-fetoprotein, ferritin and beta 2-microglobulin was observed in 61.7, 56.6 and 46.3%, respectively. CA-19-9, a carbohydrate antigen, was of no importance for the detection of cancer of this site, and an increase in its titer was observed in 15.5% only. Thus the most specific and effective diagnostic test for the diagnosis of rectal cancer recurrences is the determination of a CEA level.