[Calcitonin as a marker for bronchial carcinoma (author's transl)]

Calcitonin levels were determined in the serum of 126 patients with lung tumours of various histological types before the onset of treatment. High hormone levels were found in 54% of patients with small cell carcinoma and in 17% of patients with squamous cell carcinoma. There was no correlation with the degree of spread of the disease. However, serial determinations of calcitonin before and during cytostatic treatment showed good correlation between hormone levels and the clinical course. Response to treatment led to an equivalent fall in serum calcitonin. A clinically recognisable relapse was preceeded by a rise in calcitonin by 1-2 months.