Lung cancer patients with postoperative normalization of serum carcinoembryonic antigen level: Predictive factors for re‐elevation

Abstract Background: Postoperative normalization of serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level has been reported to be a favorable prognostic predictor in lung cancer. However, serum CEA levels of some patients’ groups re‐elevate during their postoperative course. The aim of study was to find predictors of CEA re‐elevation in patients with preoperative high and postoperative normal CEA. Methods: Sixty‐one consecutive lung cancer patients with preoperative high serum CEA level (>5 ng/mL) and postoperative normal level were reviewed retrospectively. Among these patients, serum CEA levels of 23 patients re‐elevated during their postoperative course. We compared patients with and without re‐elevation of serum CEA levels. Results: The 5‐year survival of patients with and without re‐elevation of serum CEA level was 13.20% and 88.68%, respectively ( P < 0.0001). There are significant differences in pN2 status and CEA level in pleural lavage fluid between patients with and without re‐elevation of serum CEA level. Conclusions: Our results showed that pN2 status and lavage CEA level were related to the re‐elevation of serum CEA level.