Carcinoembryonic antinen (CEA) scan in the diagnosis of recurrent colorectal carcinoma in a patient with increasing CEA levels and inconclusive computed tomographic findings

Serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and computed tomographic (CT) scans of the abdomen and pelvis have limited value in the follow-up of patients after surgical resection of a colorectal carcinoma. The CEA scan is a Tc-99m-labeled anti-CEA antibody for gamma camera imaging in the assessment of recurrent colorectal carcinoma. The authors describe a patient with a history of sigmoid resection for carcinoma who was examined for hematuria. A CT scan showed a mass in the pelvis resulting from either scarring or recurrent tumor. The CEA scan showed a focus of increased uptake in the pelvis. Surgery confirmed the mass, an invasive, moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma at the anastomotic site.