Dynamic monitoring of serum tumor markers in predicting recurrence after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer

Table 3 Comparison of dynamic change patterns of tumor markers between recurrence and non-recurrence groups, n (%)

Marker	Dynamic change pattern	Recurrence group (n = 68)	Non-recurrence group (n = 145)	χ²	P value
CEA	Persistently normal	13 (19.1)	82 (56.6)	65.382	< 0.001
	Postoperative normalization	15 (22.1)	55 (37.9)
	Persistently elevated	8 (11.8)	2 (1.4)
	Recurrent elevation	17 (25.0)	5 (3.4)
	Progressive elevation	14 (20.6)	3 (2.1)
	Delayed elevation	1 (1.5)	1 (0.7)
	Subtotal	68 (100.0)	145 (100.0)
CA19-9	Persistently normal	16 (23.5)	88 (60.7)	58.642	< 0.001
	Postoperative normalization	16 (23.5)	48 (33.1)
	Persistently elevated	6 (8.8)	1 (0.7)
	Recurrent elevation	16 (23.5)	6 (4.1)
	Progressive elevation	16 (23.5)	3 (2.1)
	Delayed elevation	2 (2.9)	1 (0.7)
	Subtotal	68 (100.0)	145 (100.0)
CA72-4	Persistently normal	19 (27.9)	92 (63.4)	52.847	< 0.001
	Postoperative normalization	17 (25.0)	46 (31.7)
	Persistently elevated	6 (8.8)	1 (0.7)
	Recurrent elevation	15 (22.1)	4 (2.8)
	Progressive elevation	15 (22.1)	3 (2.1)
	Delayed elevation	4 (5.9)	2 (1.4)
	Subtotal	68 (100.0)	145 (100.0)
CA125	Persistently normal	21 (30.9)	95 (65.5)	50.126	< 0.001
	Postoperative normalization	16 (23.5)	42 (29.0)
	Persistently elevated	6 (8.8)	2 (1.4)
	Recurrent elevation	14 (20.6)	5 (3.4)
	Progressive elevation	15 (22.1)	3 (2.1)
	Delayed elevation	4 (5.9)	1 (0.7)
	Subtotal	68 (100.0)	145 (100.0)

Percentages were recalculated to ensure subtotals equal 1000% for each group, using rounding to one decimal place. CEA: Carcinoembryonic antigen; CA19-9: Carbohydrate antigen 19-9; CA72-4: Carbohydrate antigen 72-4; CA125: Carbohydrate antigen 125.