114 - Old and New Markers for colo-rectal cancer: from diagnosis to prognosis
Autor(s): M. Plebani, D. Basso
Issue: RIMeL - IJLaM, Vol. 4, N. 2, 2008 (MAF Servizi srl ed.)
Page(s): 114-124
In the present review, “old” and “new” markers of sporadic and hereditary colo-rectal cancer are considered. The guide-lines of the main European and USA Cancer (ASCO, ESMO, ACS), Clinical Biochemistry (NACB, EGTM) and Gastroenterological (AGA) associations are reported. The actual “evidence-based” recommendations are the use of fecal occult blood testing for screening asymptomatic subjects of more than 50 years; CEA is included in the post-operative surveillance, its determination being recommended every three months for the first two years after surgery. APC gene mutations should be tested in subjects with a suspicion of FAP and in relatives of affected individuals. Other serological markers (CA 19-9, TIMP- 1) or the identification of mutated genes (e.g. k-ras, p53) in fecal samples are actually not recommended in routine clinical practice, their use to be included in controlled studies.