Evaluation of preoperative predictive values of serum CA15-3 and CEA within Sudanese women with breast cancer

ABSTRACT

Early detection of cancer comprises early diagnosis in symptomatic and screening of asymptomatic individuals. Our aim was to evaluate the significant values of carbohydrate antigen 15-3 [CA15-3] and/or Carcinoembryonic antigen [CEA] in women with breast cancer. This case control study was conducted in Khartoum Teaching Hospital, Khartoum, Sudan. Application of such measurement may be helpful within screening and early detection efforts in such a country like Sudan with poor resources. We examined by serological radioimmuno-assay methods, significant elevation of CA15-3 and CEA serum samples obtained from 100 women of whom 40% and 35% were patients with histopathologically confirmed breast cancer and benign breast lumps respectively and the remaining 25% were apparently healthy controls. Statistical analysis: Data were analyzed by using a computer SPSS program. Among the 75 patients with breast lumps, 33 [44%] and 31[37.3%] showed high CA15-3 and CEA levels respectively. Of the 40 carcinomas, high expressions of CA15-3 and CEA were found among 28[70%] and 24[60%] respectively. Notably, only 2[8%] of the controls showed lightly elevated CEA. The obtained Specificity of 85.7%, 80% and sensitivity of 70%, 60% for CA15-3 and CEA correspondingly, support the combined application of both markers in screening for breast cancer