[Prognostic value of CEA in postoperative monitoring of colorectal cancers].

The prognostic value of CEA for the purposes of postoperative monitoring assessed in 45 patients with cancer of the colon and rectum. Values were obtained 1-36 months after surgery in all operable cases. Means were also evaluated statistically at various follow-up times. In patients who relapsed, values stayed significantly higher for up to 6 months after surgery than in those who did not. Cockran's method showed that the prognostic significance of this difference 6 months after surgery was p less than 0.05.