Potential value of biliary CEA assay in early detection of colorectal adenocarcinoma liver metastases

Elevation of the biliary CEA level in patients with liver metastases from colorectal carcinoma has been reported. The aim of this study is to determine the potential value of biliary CEA assay in the early detection of liver metastases. Biliary and serum CEA levels were determined in patients operated on for a colorectal cancer and in control groups. Among 13 patients with liver metastases from colorectal carcinomas, biliary. CEA levels were markedly elevated (>40 ng/ml) in nine, moderately elevated (5–40 ng/ml) in two and normal (arbitrarily defined as