clinical value of CA15-3, ferritin and silica acid in the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with breast cancer disease

ABSTRACT

In normal control subjects, mean values of the tumour markers CA 15-3, ferritin, and sialic acid were 18.7 +/- 1.2, 58.8'6.9 and 2. 1 +/- 0.08 respectively. In patients with metastatic breast cancer, the mean values of these tumour markers were significantly elevated [P < 0.05] by 3. 1, 13 and 29 folds over the normal values respectively. Also a significant elevation [2,4.5 and 2 folds] was observed in the preoperative blood samples of patients with primary breast malignancy. The sensitivity of these three tumour markers was 100% in metastatic breast cancer group. while their sensitivities in primary breast cancer were 54% for CA 15-3, 57% for ferritin and 81% for siallic acid. The tumour marker CA 15-3 showed the best specifity for normal control subjects and for benign breast tumours [100%], Ferritin and siallic acid showed 95% and 67% specificities for bengin breast conditions. Therefore, CA 15-3 proved to be the best single tumour marker which helps in the diagnosis of breast malignancy. However, a combination of CA 15-3 and sialic acid was a better diagnostic aid because they compromise high sensitivity and good specificity. In the follow up study, the circulatoiy level of all three tumour markers changed in correlation with clinical course of the disease. Furthermore, their elevation was an alarm for failure in response to therapy or for recurrence; it appears at least 4 months before any clinical signs