“…The data generated from these studies suggests a relationship between plasma CEA levels and poor prognosis; however, there are contradicting results (12,14,44) . After resection of neoplastic lesions, CEA levels may increase and this suggests neoplastic relapse (5) , however, there are tumors that produce only small amounts of CEA. Since the CEA levels never increase in these tumors, this measurement cannot be used for detection or to assess recurrence (8,40) .…”