Clinical Evaluation of Liver Function Tests and Carcinoembryonic Antigen Levels in Colorectal Cancer Associated with Hepatic Metastases

Abstract

Background:

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally, with hepatic metastases representing the most common and clinically significant complication. Early detection of metastasis and disease progression using biochemical markers is crucial for improving patient survival outcomes.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of liver function tests (LFTs), lipid profile parameters, and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in patients with CRC, focusing specifically on their association with hepatic metastasis.

Materials and Methods:

A case-control study design was implemented involving 58 patients with CRC, subdivided based on the presence or absence of liver metastases, and 30 healthy control individuals. Serum levels of CEA (reported as mean±SE and range), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin, total protein, and cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) were measured. Statistical analyses included independent t-tests, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Results:

Significant differences (P<0.001) were observed in most biochemical parameters between patients with CRC and healthy controls, with elevated levels of CEA and liver enzymes notably apparent in the patient group. Parameters such as CEA, ALT, AST, ALP, and various lipid markers significantly correlated with the presence of liver metastases in patients with CRC, accompanied by notably reduced HDL levels. ROC analysis identified CEA, lipid profile (except HDL), total protein and albumin, and liver enzymes (ALT and ALP) as the most reliable diagnostic biomarkers for CRC with hepatic metastasis.

Conclusion:

The findings underscore the clinical utility of CEA, liver function tests (specifically ALT and ALP), albumin, and lipid profile parameters as valuable biomarkers for identifying CRC staging, site of involvement, and likelihood of hepatic metastasis.