The Role of Carcinoembriogenic Antigen in Predicting Response and Survival to Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy for Distal Rectal Cancer

Abstract

A postchemoradiotherapy CEA level <5 ng/ml is a favorable prognostic factor for rectal cancer and is associated with increased rates of earlier disease staging and complete tumor regression. Postchemoradiotherapy CEA levels may be useful in decision making for patients who may be candidates for alterative treatment strategies.