Tumor-Associated (CEA-Reacting) Antigen in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract

RECENT actuarial analyses of children with ulcerative colitis have clearly defined their increased mortality rates and incidence of cancer after 10 years of disease.¹ Similarly, in an adult population, four factors have been associated with subsequent development of cancer: severity of the first attack, universal involvement of the colon, continuous rather than intermittent disease, and onset of the disease in childhood.² Proctocolectomy significantly enhances survival rates and has been considered the treatment of choice for these patients.^{1 , 2} Although patients with granulomatous disease may have a somewhat better prognosis for cancer and overall survival, some recent studies have questioned this premise. . . .