Serum and tissue markers in primary breast cancer.

ABSTRACT

Thirty-three primary breast cancers were analyzed for prognostic markers, Immunohistochemical assay of c-erbB-2 oncoprotein was performed in formalin fixed paraffin-embedded tissue. Enzyme immunoassay and radioreceptor assay for ER and PR were respectively done in tumor cytosol. Pre-opertive blood sample obtained from this group of patients were analyzed for CEA, CA15-3 and MCA levels. About 54% of tumor had c-erbB-2 positive staining. Direct association was observed between tumor size, pathological stage, serum CEA levels and c-erbB-2 expression. No significant association existed between the expression of c-erbB-2 and lymph node invasion, histological type, ER and PR status, serum CA15-3 or MCA levels. Increased incidence of c-erbB-2 overexpression among breast cancer patients with large tumor, more advanced stage and elevated CEA level suggests its value for indicating of greater tumor aggressiveness.