ABSTRACT
Serum CA 15-3 and CEA values were determined in 77 patients with breast oancer of different stages, 28 non-malignant breast disease and 36 hedlthy women. Increased -preoperative serum CA 15-3 values [> 30 U ml[-l] were observed in 30%, 75% and 91%, serum CEA values [> 3.5 ng ml[-1]] were observed in 17% 35% and 64% of patients with stage II, III and IV disease respectively. In 86% of patients with a single metastasis and 100% of patients with two or more metastases elevated values for both markers were noted. Only 10% of patients with non-malignant disease had elevated serum CA 15-3, 14% of them had elevated serun CEA and non of normal healthy women had elevated levels for both markers. In the postoperative samples, there was significant reduction in 90% of patients for serum CA 15-3 and CEA. In 66% of patients treated by radical radiotherapy there was a notable reduction in both markers one month later. In 58% of patients with metastatic breast carcinoma treated by combination chemotherapy FAC and CMF [in partial remission], there was a detectable reduction in both markers after eight courses. CEA showed parallel behaviour to CA 15-3., At the, time of recurence elevated serum CA 15-3 values were also observed in patients with normal preoperative values. Increased serum CA 15-3 values preceded the clinical detection of tumour recurrence by up to 11 months. In conclusion it is confirmed that serum CA 15-3 levels had reliable prognostic value in breast cancer, reflected the extent of tumour load, response to treatment and the presence of occult metastasis