[Tumor markers in bronchial cancer: do they have a role in daily practice?]

The authors report a study conducted in 167 cases of primary bronchial carcinoma, in which 6 tumour markers were assayed: carcinoembryonic antigen, alpha-1-foetoprotein, ACTH, parathormone, thyrocalcitonin, and beta-HCG. The statistical analysis of their results suggests that these markers are of limited value in routine practice. They discuss the development of the ideas on this subject and try to explain a certain number of controversies.