Tumor markers in colorectal carcinoma. An evaluation of carcinoembryonic antigen, tissue polypeptide antigen, placental alkaline phosphatase and pseudouridine.

The biologic markers carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA), placental alkaline phosphatase ( PLAP ) and pseudouridine were analysed in 37 patients with colorectal carcinoma. CEA, TPA and PLAP were derived from the serum and pseudouridine from the urine. The incidence of all four markers increased with advancing stages of the disease. Patients with distant metastases had elevated levels of CEA, TPA, PLAP and pseudouridine in 85, 27, 18 and 33 per cent of the total cases, respectively. When survival was compared, patients with 2 to 4 elevated markers had shorter survival than those with none or only one elevated marker.