[Value of blood assay of tumor markers for detecting recurrence of colorectal cancer].

Clinicians have at least 12 serial tumoral markers for the follow-up of colorectal cancer patients. The literature analysis indicates that serial carcinoembryonic antigen determination (CEA), is the most effective. The determination of other markers together with CEA does not add any benefit. CEA determination seems to be associated with a high rate of recurrence resection. However, the influence on overall survival of a planned follow-up including CEA determination is missing.