[Systematic study of various tumoral markers in prevalent bone metastasis]

In the presence of prevalent bone metastases, the precise histo-pathological diagnosis of the primary tumor is often difficult. The authors study the diagnostic value of systematic serum assay of a series of tumoral tracers (ACE, AFP, PAP and PSA, SCC, CA 19:9, CA 15:3, CA 125) which until now were used in evolutive and therapeutic monitoring. 34 patients were selected for this preliminary retrospective study (including 20 with a demonstrated histopathological diagnosis). 70 p. cent of prevalent bone metastases express a target tracer corresponding to the initial location. In some cases, an elevated tracer, because of its specificity, may bring about a diagnostic or therapeutic decision (always according to the context). No conclusion may currently be drawn in case of discordance between the anatomo-clinical context and the "profile" of the markers (1 case in our series).