Glycoprotein tumour markers in head and neck neoplasms--a consecutive study on CA-50, CA 19-9, and CEA

Serum levels of three glycoprotein tumour antigens (carcino-embryonic antigen, CEA; cancer-associated antigen 50, CA-50; gastrointestinal cancer-associated antigen, CA 19-9) were determined on 125 consecutive patients with tumours of the head and neck region. Elevated CEA values (greater than 5 units/ml) were found in 13/70 squamous cell carcinomas, 3/21 benign and 4/18 malignant salivary gland neoplasms. Elevated CA-50 values (greater than 17 units/ml) were found in 19/70 squamous cell carcinomas, 6/18 malignant and 1/21 benign salivary neoplasms. CA 19-9 displayed higher values (greater than 37 units/ml) in 9/68 squamous cell carcinomas, 4/18 malignant and none of 21 benign salivary gland tumours. Combination of CEA and CA-50 analyses increased the proportion of elevated values to 30/70 in squamous cell carcinomas and 10/18 in salivary gland malignancies. In squamous cell carcinomas no correlation between staging or grading and serum levels was detected for any of the markers. Among malignant salivary gland tumours, CA-50 displayed enhanced serum values in 4/6 mucoepidermoid carcinomas. The mean values for CA-50 and CA 19-9 serum levels were significantly higher for malignant salivary gland neoplasms compared to benign tumours. There was a close correlation between CA-50 and CA 19-9 serum levels. Although, the results suggest that at present none of the tumour markers tested have a place alone in the routine examination of patients with tumours affecting the head and neck region, further studies on salivary gland neoplasms and combinations of the tumour markers are justified.