[Monoclonal antibodies. Their usefulness in the diagnosis of malignant tumors of the digestive system]. / Anticuerpos monoclonales. Su utilidad en el diagnóstico de tumores malignos del aparato digestivo.

Lately, there is a lot of interest in tumor markers, monoclonal antibodies and immunoscanning in the diagnosis and follow-up of certain cancers. The main objective of this study is to report our initial experience with the detection of specific antibodies and with the obtention of scan images. In 85.7% of patients with cancer and in 40% of patients with benign conditions, above normal values of CEA were obtained. In 85.7% of patients with cancer and in 60% of patients with benign disease, above normal values of CA 19-9 were noted. Positive scans were obtained in 83.4% of cancer patients and 13.3% negative scans; it was not useful in one case. In benign conditions 40% of the scans were positive and 60% negative. I-131 was capable of detecting tumors very clearly. The statistical analysis employed was the exact test of Fisher and the correlation was evaluated with contingency coefficients.