Objective  To investigate the expressions of alpha fetoprotein (AFP) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in the serum of patients with different types of gastrointestinal cancer and the diagnostic value of combined detection of two indexes.

  Methods  The clinical materials of 117 patients with digestive system diseases treated in our hospital from March 2015 to February 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. According to the results of histological examination or pathological examination, the selected patients were divided into malignant tumor group (n=70) and benign disease group (n=47). Meanwhile, 30 healthy volunteers were selected as the control group.

  Results  The levels of AFP and CEA in malignant tumor group were significantly higher than those in benign disease group and control group (P < 0.01). The levels of AFP and CEA in liver cancer group were significantly higher than those in colorectal cancer group, pancreatic cancer group and gastric cancer group (P < 0.01). In colorectal cancer, pancreaticcancer, liver cancer and gastric cancer, the positive rate of AFP combined with CEA was significantly higher than that of AFP or CEA alone (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

  Conclusion  AFP and CEA have a certain value in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of different types of digestive tract cancer. The combination of two indexes can effectively improve the positive detection rate.