Tumor marker profile in breast cancer patients

ABSTRACT

Serum TMs CA 15.3, CEA, AFP and TK were studied preoperatively in 30 female patients with invasive duct carcinoma of the breast, presenting to NCI. Eighteen of the patients were in stage II and 6 were in each of stages III and IV. Tissue CEA was estimated in 20 patients and 24 patients were followed up. CEA, AFP and TK were significantly higher in serum of patients group. Nevertheless, most of the patients had CEA and AFP levels within the reference range and neither was considered useful in diagnosing breast cancer. CA 15.3 was elevated in 27.8% stage II patients, in all stage III and 66.6% stage IV patients. Elevated CA 15.3 levels at diagnosis in stage II patients helped to predict metastases. The study may consider CA 15.3 useful in diagnosing advanced breast cancer and in predicting metastases in stage II disease. Tissue CEA levels were positive in 60% of cases and no correlation was observed between tissue and serum CEA level. Eight out of 12 tissue CEA positive cases [66.6%] were associated with node metastases. TK was elevated in 75% stage II patients and 83.3% stage III and IV patients and this elevation is indicative of increased tissue activity