title: [Sialic acid in the serum--an indicator for malignant growth?].
abstract: Changes of the sialic acid content of patients sera reflect growth processes of benign and malignant character. Using an enzymatic test the value of sialic acid as a primary diagnostic parameter has been investigated. We found a poor diagnostic sensitivity with exception of lung and ovarian carcinomas where the sensitivity attained nearly 90%. In monitoring of patients with pre-therapeutically elevated sialic acid content in serum dropping values indicate a successful therapeutic intervention. An increase of post-therapeutic values demonstrates recurrent processes but the reaction of the serum level may be delayed up to 2 weeks. The outcome of the studies supports the notion that sialic acid is a tumor marker of very limited value.
authors.affiliation: Zentralinstitut für Krebsforschung, Robert-Rössle-Institut, Berlin-Buch.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schulze
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D004796:Clinical Enzyme Tests; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019158:N-Acetylneuraminic Acid; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012794:Sialic Acids / Q000097:blood*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D012794:Sialic Acids; D019158:N-Acetylneuraminic Acid
vernacular_title: Sialinsäure im Serum--ein Indikator für malignes Wachstum?