[CYFRA 21-1: initial experiences in bronchus carcinoma and other tumors]

CYFRA 21-1 (CYFRA) is a new tumor-associated marker which appears to be useful in monitoring non-small cell bronchial carcinoma. We examined 193 sera from tumor patients (92 of whom had bronchial carcinoma), and 62 patients with benign lung disease. Sensitivity and specificity of CYFRA was compared with that of CEA, TPA, TPS and SCC in squamous cell bronchial carcinoma and with that of NSE in small cell bronchial carcinoma. The sensitivity of CYFRA in other tumor localizations was also assessed. In squamous cell bronchial carcinoma CYFRA proved to be the best marker with respect to sensitivity (58%) and specificity (98%). In gastrointestinal tumors CYFRA had a similar sensitivity to CEA. Since the two markers do not correlate their sensitivity is additive. In conclusion, CYFRA is confirmed as marker of first choice in squamous cell bronchial carcinoma. In other tumors CYFRA displayed a similar sensitivity to CEA.