Which condition is indicated by an elevated CEA level prior to surgery?

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a tumor marker that is primarily associated with colorectal cancer, although it can also be elevated in other malignancies and some benign conditions. An elevated CEA level prior to surgery typically indicates a worse prognosis for patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer. This is due to the fact that elevated CEA levels can be associated with larger tumor burden, metastatic disease, or more aggressive tumor characteristics.

In clinical settings, CEA serves as a useful tool for monitoring treatment response and detecting recurrence after surgery. High preoperative levels can suggest that the cancer has advanced beyond localized stages, which correlates with increased likelihood of metastasis and poorer survival rates. Thus, while elevated CEA alone does not provide a definitive stage or prognosis, its presence tends to correlate with greater disease severity and poorer outcomes, making it an important marker in assessing the prognosis of colorectal cancer patients.

Therefore, the correct answer highlights the relationship between elevated CEA levels prior to surgery and the associated implications for disease progression and patient outcomes.