Elevated postoperative CEA levels indicate poor prognosis in CRC patients

A meta-analysis of 20 studies involving 10,114 colorectal cancer patients found that elevated postoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels significantly correlate with poorer overall survival, disease-free survival, and recurrence-free survival. Specifically, increased CEA levels were associated with hazard ratios indicating a roughly threefold decrease in survival prospects. This analysis emphasizes the need for proactive interventions when elevated CEA levels are observed in postoperative patients to enhance survival outcomes.