Study of serum tumor markers CEA, CA 15.3 and CA 27.29 as diagnostic parameters in patients with breast carcinoma

Serum levels of CEA, CA 15.3 and CA 27.29 were measured during the follow-up of 499 breast cancer patients. Studies included three different groups of women: 82 blood donors free of disease, 42 patients with non-malignant breast diseases and 499 breast cancer patients. After the determination of cut-off values, serum levels of tumor markers did not show significant elevations in benign breast diseases. On the basis of our results CA 15.3 (sensitivity = 57%; accuracy = 87%) was the most effective marker, CA 27.29 (sensitivity = 62%; accuracy = 83%) was the most sensitive and CEA (sensitivity = 45%; accuracy = 81%) was the least sensitive and effective marker. The combined use of markers was evaluated by step-wise logistic regression analysis. The regression coefficients showed that CA 15.3 (coeff. = 2.97) and CA 27.29 (coeff. = 1.46) were suitable for the detection of possible metastases during follow-up. Finally, we studied the relationship between pT, pN, pM and circulating levels of CA 15.3 and CA 27.29.