Evaluation of carcinoemberionic antigen CEA and CA 15.3 tumor markers in patients operated for breast cancer

ABSTRACT

Tumor markers are biochemical signs of tumor existence and consist of cell surface antibodies, cytoplasm proteins, enzymes and hormones. We evaluated the variability of tumor marker levels in following-up patients without the evidence of the disease after the resection of a primary breast cancer. Carcinoemberionic antigen [CEA] and CA 15.3 were measured by commercially available methods in serial blood samples collected from 94 patients referred to surgical and oncological center of Ahwaz. In 72 cases with normal CA 15. 3, metastasis and recurrence occurred for 12% and 4.17 respectively. In 12 cases with abnormal CA15.3 metastasis and recurrence occurred for 54.55% and 4.55% respectively. In 80 cases with normal CEA metastasis and recurrence occurred for 15% and 5% respectively, and in 14 cases with abnormal CEA metastasis and recurrence occurred for 64.24% and 14% respectively. The incidence of metastasis is high in patients with abnormal tumor markers, and CA15.3 is more sensitive in following-up and evaluating the patient"s response to the treatment