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

Table 4 Comparison of dynamic change rates of tumor markers at different postoperative time points between recurrence and non-recurrence groups [M (Q1, Q3), %]

Marker	Time point	Recurrence group (n = 68)	Non-recurrence group (n = 145)	Z value	P value
CEA	3 months postoperative	12.5 (-8.5, 35.8)	-8.2 (-18.6, -2.3)	-6.847	< 0.001
	6 months postoperative	28.6 (5.2, 68.9)	-10.5 (-22.1, -3.6)	-7.562	< 0.001
	12 months postoperative	52.8 (18.5, 125.6)	-12.3 (-25.8, -4.2)	-8.324	< 0.001
	18 months postoperative	85.6 (32.4, 186.5)	-14.6 (-28.5, -5.5)	-8.891	< 0.001
CA19-9	3 months postoperative	10.8 (-10.2, 32.5)	-6.8 (-15.3, -1.8)	-6.524	< 0.001
	6 months postoperative	25.3 (3.8, 62.5)	-8.5 (-18.9, -2.5)	-7.215	< 0.001
	12 months postoperative	48.5 (15.6, 115.8)	-10.6 (-21.2, -3.3)	-7.968	< 0.001
	18 months postoperative	78.9 (28.5, 168.7)	-12.5 (-24.6, -4.8)	-8.456	< 0.001
CA72-4	3 months postoperative	15.6 (-6.8, 38.9)	-7.5 (-16.8, -2.6)	-6.685	< 0.001
	6 months postoperative	32.5 (8.5, 72.6)	-9.8 (-20.5, -3.9)	-7.328	< 0.001
	12 months postoperative	58.6 (20.8, 132.5)	-11.5 (-23.6, -4.5)	-8.125	< 0.001
	18 months postoperative	92.5 (35.6, 195.8)	-13.8 (-26.9, -5.8)	-8.652	< 0.001
CA125	3 months postoperative	13.8 (-9.5, 36.5)	-6.6 (-14.5, -2.2)	-6.458	< 0.001
	6 months postoperative	30.5 (6.8, 65.8)	-8.2 (-17.8, -3.5)	-7.142	< 0.001
	12 months postoperative	55.8 (18.2, 120.5)	-10.5 (-20.8, -4.8)	-7.895	< 0.001
	18 months postoperative	88.6 (30.5, 178.6)	-12.2 (-23.5, -5.6)	-8.358	< 0.001

Change rate = (test value at each follow-up time point - 1-month postoperative baseline value)/1-month postoperative baseline value × 100%. The higher change rate in the recurrence group at 18 months postoperatively reflects the significant upward trend in markers in recurrent patients. CEA: Carcinoembryonic antigen; CA19-9: Carbohydrate antigen 19-9; CA72-4: Carbohydrate antigen 72-4; CA125: Carbohydrate antigen 125.