Elevated levels of squamous cell carcinoma antigen in patients with a benign disease of the skin.
Squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC), formerly referred to as TA-4, is a tumor marker for SCC of the uterine cervix. Based on the findings in a patient with complete remission after treatment for cervical carcinoma, the authors decided to analyze the sera from patients with benign dermatoses. It was found that 83% (25/30) of the patients with psoriasis and 80% (12/15) of the patients with eczema had SCC levels in excess of the cut-off value of 2.5 ng/ml. In psoriasis the serum SCC level correlated positively with the body surface area affected by the disease (r = 0.64). Seven patients with miscellaneous skin disorders, all with an inflammatory component, showed high serum SCC levels as well. Thus the existence of an inflammatory skin disease or a hyperkeratotic skin disease with an inflammatory component interferes with the usefulness of the SCC antigen as a tumor marker in SCC of the uterine cervix.
Duk
J M
JM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands.
van Voorst Vader
P C
PC
ten Hoor
K A
KA
Hollema
H
H
Doeglas
H M
HM
de Bruijn
H W
HW
D000328:Adult; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D015843:Serpins; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015843:Serpins; C051072:squamous cell carcinoma-related antigen