[A correlation between serum levels of preoperative CEA and CEA immunohistochemical staining in colorectal carcinoma].

We analyzed the distribution of tissue CEA in 80 colorectal adenocarcinomas with the PAP immunohistochemical technique. We used a qualitative method with a double grading criterion--topography and intensity of staining--as well as a semiquantitative method in the immunostaining interpretation. We applied a pattern of immunostaining: apical, cytoplasmic or mixed, to each tumor. Likewise, we obtained the pre-operatory serum levels of CEA. The normal value in our laboratory is less than 10 ng/ml. We correlated the immunostaining pattern with the serum levels of CEA, obtaining a global statistical significant correlation (p < 0.01), as well as apical versus cytoplasmic correlation (p = 0,0,3). The apical staining pattern agreed with this CEA levels < 10 ng/ml, whereas the cytoplasmic staining was associated with high frequency with CEA levels > 10 ng/ml. In conclusion the immunohistochemical staining for tissular CEA permits to improve the prognostic efficiency of serum CEA levels.