The diagnostic value of mucinous carcinoma-associated antigen (MCA) tests in breast carcinomas

MCA (Mucinous Carcinoma-Associated Antigen) levels of 176 breast carcinoma patients were tested postoperatively by serial determination. One hundred forty-one patients had non-progressive disease (PD-) while 35 were in the progressive phase (PD+); in the latter the diagnosis was confirmed by means of current diagnostic procedures. One hundred seventeen of the 141 PD-patients showed MCA levels below cutoff whereas 27 of the 35 PD+ cases showed high values. The difference in the incidence of elevated MCA levels between PD- and PD+ groups was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The overall diagnostic efficacy of MCA assays showed 77% sensitivity and 82% specificity.