Comparison of AFP and beta-hCG levels in infiltrating duct mammary carcinoma at different stages of malignancy.
In order to assess the likely clinical value of AFP and beta-hCG levels as markers of the extent of spread of infiltrating duct mammary carcinoma, we compared (Mann-Whitney U test) the immunoreactive tumour tissue concentrations of the respective antigens, measured by specific RIA, after mastectomy in Chinese women at stages I (n = 9), II (n = 13) and III (n = 7) with that of normal breast tissue (n = 11). Elevated concentrations of the oncofetal antigens were found at all stages of malignancy. The discovery of an hCG-like material in the extract of normal breast tissues indicates limited value of beta-hCG assay in mammary tumours. However, our findings generally suggest that measurement of the tumour tissue AFP levels warrant consideration as a useful biochemical marker for in-vitro evaluation of tumour spread at all stages of malignancy.
Loganath
A
A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University of Singapore, National University Hospital.
Peh
K L
KL
Gunasegaram
R
R
Thiagaraj
D
D
Cheah
E
E
Kottegoda
S R
SR
Ratnam
S S
SS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D001940:Breast / Q000032:analysis; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000032:analysis / Q000473:pathology*; D002285:Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / Q000032:analysis / Q000473:pathology*; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins