Colorectal cancer presents the third most commonly diagnosed form of cancer worldwide, accounting for 11% of all diagnosed cancer cases. Additionally, CRC is the second most lethal cancer in the world. In Egypt, Colorectal cancer ranked tenth in males and ninth in females. Studies in Egypt and Arab countries have shown high rates of CRC in patients aged 40 years or younger. Metastasis is significantly associated with poor prognosis in CRC patients. The 5-year survival rates decline with the progression of tumor stages. Liver is one of the most common metastatic sites for various malignancies, including colorectal cancer. High mortality rates are mainly attributed to colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). Additionally metastasis usually results in conventional therapies becoming inadequate. Thus there is urgent need for finding markers for early detection of CRLM for early management of CRLM to decrease mortality rates associated with metastasis to the liver. In our study we measure protein expression of CEA, and CA19-9 by ELISA in Colorectal cancer patients, CRLM patients, and in healthy subjects to find out if these markers can be used for diagnosis of Colorectal cancer, and for early detection of CRLM.
High blood levels of CEA and CA19.9 are associated with CRLM. CEA is more sensitive and specific than CA19.9, but both have a high sensitivity and specificity for predicting CRC liver metastasis. Their blood levels may be used in monitoring and managing the disease's severity and the emergence of liver metastases.