Purpose: Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is the most used tumor marker in colorectal cancer (CRC). Recent studies suggest that D-dimer (DD) can be a better tumor marker than CEA. In this prospective study we evaluated the prognostic value of both markers in patients with CRC. Methods: The study population included 116 patients (60.7±12.1 years, 85 men) who were operated with curative intention for CRC (stage I to III) between January 2003 and December 2007. CEA and DD were determined in the preoperative and follow-up periods until cancer recurrence and/or death. Clinicopathologic characteristics were evaluated and the stage was determined according to the system of the AJCC. Concentrations higher than 5 ng/ml for CEA and 0.5 μg/ml for DD were considered abnormal. The levels of both markers were analyzed at the time of recurrence or at the last control in patients who survived until June 2008. Results: In the preoperative period abnormal values of DD were found in 81.3% of the cases and of CEA in 51.2%. Elevated values of DD and CEA were associated with a more advanced stage. The preoperative prognostic value of CEA and DD favored the CEA as a predictor of recurrence and mortality. Survival curves were similar for both markers. Conclusion: We conclude that an abnormal CEA value has a greater correlation with the tumor stage and a better value for recurrence and mortality prognosis than the elevation of DD.