Diagnosis of bone and liver metastases in breast cancer comparing tumor markers and imaging techniques.
One hundred and forty-seven patients were examined by bone scintigraphy, ultrasonography and scintigraphic scan of the liver, at different times after surgical removal of a breast cancer, to rule out skeletal and hepatic metastases. At the same time as imaging procedures, serum levels of tumor markers (CEA, TPA and CA 15-3) were determined using radioimmunometric methods. One or more markers were elevated in all 13 patients with hepatic metastases; 9 out of 46 patients with bone metastases had all serum markers normal, with a sensitivity of 80%. Combined assay of the markers proved useful, TPA and CA 15-3 showing the best sensitivity in bone metastases, and all three markers in liver metastases.
Servizio di Medicina Nucleare, Ospedale Civile, Castelfranco Veneto, Italia.
P
P
Zanco
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G
Rota
V
V
Sportiello
N
N
Borsato
G
G
Ferlin
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000097:blood; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate / Q000097:blood; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000097:blood*; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010455:Peptides / Q000097:blood; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019396:Tissue Polypeptide Antigen
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D010455:Peptides; D019396:Tissue Polypeptide Antigen