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Elevated tumor markers in hemodialysis patients
G Walz1, U Kunzendorf, F Keller
1Abteilungen für Allgemeine Innere Medizin und Nephrologie, Klinikum Steglitz, Freie Universität Berlin.
American Journal of Nephrology
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Tumor markers like tissue polypeptide antigen can be falsely elevated in patients undergoing hemodialysis. This unreliability may impact the accurate monitoring of malignant diseases in this population.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Oncology
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Chronic dialysis patients often present with elevated tumor markers without evidence of cancer.
- The reliability of standard tumor markers for disease monitoring in this specific population is questionable.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence of elevated tumor markers in patients on chronic dialysis.
- To assess the diagnostic utility of tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in hemodialysis patients.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of TPA, CEA, and AFP levels in 93 patients (29-79 years) undergoing chronic dialysis (3-240 months).
- Correlation analysis between elevated tumor markers and beta 2-microglobulin levels.
Main Results:
- High incidence of elevated TPA (92.5%), moderate elevation of CEA (29.8%), and low elevation of AFP (6.5%) observed.
- Significant correlation found between high TPA levels and elevated beta 2-microglobulin (p < 0.005).
Conclusions:
- Tumor markers, particularly TPA, demonstrate poor reliability for monitoring malignancy in hemodialysis patients.
- Elevated beta 2-microglobulin may contribute to false-positive tumor marker results in this cohort.