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Diagnostic sensitivity of three tumour markers in non-small cell lung cancer: a pilot study
1Department of Applied Radioisotopes, Fodor József National Centre of Public Health, Frédéric Joliot-Curie National Research Institute for Radiobiology and Radiohygiene, Budapest, Hungary.
Background:
Three tumour markers (CEA, CYFRA 21.1 and CA125) were evaluated for diagnostic sensitivity in newly diagnosed, untreated non-small cell lung cancer.
Methods:
In the 24 patients studied, the tumours were classified histologically as 15 squamous cell carcinomas and 9 adenocarcinomas. In 19 cases, the disease was confined to the lung (M0); 5 cases presented with metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis (M1).
Results:
CA125 displayed the best overall sensitivity (62%) and also when only localised disease was evaluated (63%). CA125 was the most sensitive marker for adenocarcinomas (89%), with values differing significantly with histological type (p < 0.005). CYFRA 21.1 was most sensitive in squamous cell carcinomas (53%); this was the only marker which was elevated in all cases involving metastatic disease, and exhibited a significant correlation with stage (p<0.02). CEA presented the poorest overall sensitivity (42%). The overall sensitivity of the three-tumour marker association was 79% and the best combination of two markers was CYFRA 21.1 + CA125 (75%).
Conclusions:
This pilot study allows recommendation of the associated use of these two markers as first choice of diagnostic aid in non-small cell lung cancer. Further measurements, including specificity studies in benign lung diseases, should be performed to confirm these results.
