Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is not normally produced in significant quantities after birth but is elevated in colorectal cancer. The aim of this review was to define the current role of CEA and how best to investigate patients with elevated CEA levels. A systematic review of CEA was performed, in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Studies were identified from PubMed, Cochrane library, and controlled trials registers. We identified 2,712 papers of which 34 were relevant. Analysis of these papers found higher preoperative CEA levels were associated with advanced or metastatic disease and thus poorer prognosis. Postoperatively, failure of CEA to return to normal was found to be indicative of residual or recurrent disease. However, measurement of CEA levels alone was not sufficient to improve survival rates. Two algorithms are proposed to guide investigation of patients with elevated CEA: one for patients with elevated CEA after CRC resection, and another for patients with de novo elevated CEA. CEA measurement has an important role in the investigation, management and follow-up of patients with colorectal cancer.

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PurposeBased in a hospital serving one of the most deprived areas in the United Kingdom (UK), we aimed to investigate, using the Indices of Deprivation 2010, the hypothesis that deprivation affects the stage and mode of presentation of colorectal cancer.MethodsAll newly diagnosed patients with colorectal cancer presenting to a District General Hospital in the UK between January 2010 and December 2014 were included. Data were collected from the Somerset National Cancer Database. The effect of social deprivation, measured using the Index of Multiple Deprivation Score, on the stage and mode of presentation was evaluated utilizing Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS ver. 22.0.ResultsA total of 701 patients (54.5% male; mean age, 76 years) were included; 534 (76.2%) underwent a surgical procedure, and 497 (70.9%) underwent a colorectal resection. Of the patients undergoing a colorectal resection, 86 (17.3%) had an emergency surgical resection. Social deprivation was associated with Duke staging (P = 0.09). The 90-day mortality in patients undergoing emergency surgery was 12.8% compared to 6.8% in patients undergoing elective surgery (P = 0.06). No association was found between deprivation and emergency presentation (P = 0.97). A logistic regression analysis showed no increase in the probability of metastasis amongst deprived patients.ConclusionThis study suggests an association between deprivation and the stage of presentation of colorectal cancer. Patients undergoing emergency surgery tend to have a higher 90-day mortality rate, although this was not related to deprivation. This study highlights the need to develop an individual measure to assess social deprivation.

Background: Aviation systems were developed to improve safety and have achieved remarkable results. Medicine has looked to replicate these systems; however, the gap in outcomes between the two industries remains vast. Bridging this chasm requires an in-depth analysis of the applicability of the aviation safety model in surgery. This study uses qualitative methods to explore how aviation-based practices may be adapted and applied more effectively in theatre. Methods: Data were collected using multiprofessional focus groups in a single centre. The focus groups involved discussion around teamwork and aviation-based non-technical skills. With consent, audio recordings were anonymized and transcribed. Qualitative (thematic) analysis was used to identify themes. Results: Five focus groups were conducted. Eight themes emerged, with a total of 18 subthemes. Themes were: current practice, customization, applicability, team performance, human factors, analogy, incidents and integration of skills. Extent and limitations of the aviation surgery analogy also emerged. Conclusions: The new insights gained through this qualitative analysis highlight the need to tailor aviation-based practices to the operating theatre. To achieve this, we propose the 'aviation bundle' of non-technical skills. This blueprint aims to promote a culture of safety and efficiency in surgical practice and could be developed into a training programme for theatre staff.