Squamous cell carcinoma antigen in genitourinary tumors

We have evaluated the serum levels of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) antigen in patients with adenocarcinoma of the kidney, adenocarcinoma of the prostate, germ cell tumors of the testis, transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder, and SCC of the penis, urethra, and bladder. Serum SCC antigen levels were elevated in 5 of 11 patients (45%) with metastatic SCC of the penis, and in the 3 patients for whom serial determinations were made, the serum levels correlated correctly with the progression of disease or response to treatment. The antigen was elevated in 1 of 3 patients with SCC of the urethra, and 1 apparent false-positive value was observed in a patient with adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Otherwise, no SCC antigen elevations were noted among 10 patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the prostate, 8 with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the kidney, 11 with metastatic transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder, 8 with metastatic nonseminomatous germ cell tumors of the testis, and 2 patients with metastatic SCC of the bladder.