[Squamous cell carcinoma-associated antigen (SCC) as a tumor marker in the initial diagnosis of carcinomas of the head and neck region. Results of a prospective study after 24 months].
The serum--SCC antigen levels of patients with head and neck tumors were studied prospectively to determine their value in the initial diagnosis of head- and neck-cancer patients. Serum concentrations above 2 ng/ml are considered abnormal. Preliminary results of the study after a 12-month period have been reported elsewhere (1). The final results of the study show an increased percentage (53%) of pathologic findings, mostly due to the increasing number of advanced stage tumors. High serum levels were found in 60% of the T4-tumors (Fig. 4a). Well differentiated carcinomas seem to be associated with the antigen more frequently than poorly differentiated tumors (Fig. 5). SCC antigen levels were examined as many as five times before the start of treatment (85 patients), and in one-third of those cases the differences between the serum levels exceeded 1 ng/ml. As far as 85% specificity is concerned, the ROC-curve shows a sensitivity of only 40% (Fig. 2) which, in addition to the fact that the antigen was most frequently found in cases of advanced tumors, indicates that the usefulness of the SCC antigen as a tumor marker for head and neck cancer must still be regarded as low.
Univ-Hals-Nasen-Ohrenklinik und Poliklinik rechts der Isar, München.
B
B
Clasen
P
P
Péré
R
R
Senekowitsch
E
E
Menz
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000032:analysis* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000032:analysis* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012372:ROC Curve; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015843:Serpins
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015843:Serpins; C051072:squamous cell carcinoma-related antigen
Das plattenepithelkarzinomassoziierte Antigen (SCC) als Tumormarker bei der Initialdiagnostik von Karzinomen des Kopf-Hals-Gebietes. Ergebnisse einer prospektiven Studie nach 24 Monaten.