Comparison of the tumor markers CEA, TPA, and CA 19-9 in colorectal carcinoma.

In 103 patients with colorectal carcinoma carcinogenic antigen, 19-9 (CEA), tissue polypeptide (TPA) and carbohydrate antigen (CA 19-9) were measured in serum. The values determined in these patients and in a control group have been converted into specificity-sensitivity diagrams. Comparison of diagrams of the three markers showed that CEA has the greatest sensitivity in colorectal carcinoma. Different ways to enhance the sensitivity by combination of the markers have been tried. By combination, however, the sensitivity of the single markers is not essentially enhanced.