Evaluation of clinical significance of prostate specific antigen and other tumor markers in breast cancer

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the significance of prostate specific antigen [PSA], both total and free, carcinoembroynic antigen [CEA] and carbohydrate antigen 15 -3 [CA15- 3] in breast cancer serum levels of total and free PSA, CEA and CA15-3 were measured in 60 female patients with breast cancer at time of primary diagnosis. The patients were divided into 4 groups according to the stage of breast cancer and the results were compared with those of 25 apparently healthy females as controls. The study revealed that, total PSA was detected in serum of 4% [1/25] of healthy controls and 18% of breast cancer patients. Free PSA is the predominate molecular form of serological PSA in 54% of patients with increased total PSA levels. Free and total PSA, levels were highly significantly increased in advanced stages of breast cancer [III and IV] in comparison to control group, stage I and stage II [P < 0.001]. There was significant negative correlation between PSA [total and free] and age of breast cancer patients [r = 0.285,P< 0.05, r = -0.295, P<0.05 respectively]. There was significant positive correlation between PSA [total and free] and stage of breast cancer [r = + 0.470, P <0.001, r = +0.399, P <0.01 respectively] CEA levels were significantly increased in stage I [P< 0.05], stage II [P < 0.01] stage III and IV [P < 0.001] in comparison with control group. Levels of CEA and CA 15-3 were significantly high in stages III and IV compared with stages I and II [P < 0.001]. There was significant Positive correlation between [CEA, CA15-3] and stage of breast cancer [r = +0.314, P<0.05, r = + 0.547, P <0.01 respectively]. There is a positive correlation between [CEA and CA15-3 [r = +0.597, P<0.001]. In conclusion: Levels of serum PSA and CA 15-3 increased in late stages of breast cancer and so they cannot be used as a screening diagnostic tool for breast cancer. Although CEA increases early in breast cancer, it cannot be trusted as a diagnostic tool for breast cancer as its levels are elevated in a variety of cancers, so it may be used as a screening test. There is a positive correlation between CA 15-3 and CEA, which can be used together for follow up and prognosis of breast cancer