BACKGROUND

The follow-up of patients treated for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) is not standardized. The accuracy of an increase in carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels for finding recurrences after treatment for CRLM is compared in this retrospective cohort study with the accuracy of routine imaging modalities of liver and chest.

METHODS

Data from all patients in follow-up after intentionally curative treatment for CRLM from 1990 to 2010 were analyzed. All patients underwent the same follow-up schedule. The way in which recurrences became apparent (i.e., CEA increase, routine imaging, or both) was registered. The specificity and sensitivity of increases in CEA before finding recurrent disease were calculated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. An economic evaluation of the cost per resectable tumor recurrence was performed.

RESULTS

ROC curves showed that a significant CEA increase was defined as a 25 % increase from the previous value. Recurrences were detected in 46 % of the procedures through CEA increase concomitant with positive imaging, in 23 % through CEA increase without positive findings on routine imaging, and in 31 % through positive imaging without an increase in CEA. The resectability of recurrences did not differ between triggers. Cost per curable recurrence was 2,196 for recurrences found via CEA alone and 6,721 for recurrences found with imaging and CEA.

CONCLUSIONS

In the follow-up of patients after liver surgery for CRLM, a 25 % increase in CEA serum level can accurately detect recurrences, but routine imaging is indispensable. In patients with CRLM, we advocate both CEA monitoring and imaging in the follow-up after liver surgery.