[Tumor marker combination versus second-look operation in ovarian cancer]

Tumour markers are substances that occur at elevated blood levels in patients with certain tumours. When their specificity and sensitivity are known, markers can be used to monitor cancer patients. No single marker is specific and sensitive for a certain tumour, so a tumour-marker combination is used. The efficacy of CA 125, ferritin, TPA and CEA was demonstrated in 162 ovarian cancer patients. With the same combination, we found a statistically significant 91.7% correlation between the clinical course of the disease and the marker profile in 60 further patients. Tumour markers can also help make a prognosis. In 34 patients the marker profile accurately predicated the findings at second-look surgery. Thus, biochemical monitoring may supplant the second-look procedure. 68 patients were followed for a mean of 2.7 years after completion of chemotherapy. In 95.6% the tumour-marker analysis correlated with the clinical and radiologic course. This means that the end of chemotherapy depends on biochemical monitoring, and second-line therapy can be initiated sooner.