title: [CA 15-3 and CEA as tumor markers in the diagnosis of the recurrence of breast cancer].
abstract: The significance of the tumor markers CA 15-3 and CEA for the oncological follow-up of breast cancer was examined in a retrospective analysis of 108 patients in whom, before and after hospitalization, it was possible to locate a local recurrence, a contralateral breast carcinoma, or a distant metastasis. Overall, examination of the group of patients showed that CA 15-3 was significantly more sensitive than CEA (57%/38%), with an increase of only 3% in sensitivity when investigating both markers simultaneously. Neither marker is suitable for the diagnosis of a relapse in the same region or a contralateral breast carcinoma, as pathologic values are only to be observed in one-third or, respectively, one-quarter of all cases. In cases of distant metastasis, CA 15-3 is significantly superior to CEA (osseous: 62%/41%; visceral: 73%/34%). Only where there is combined osseous/visceral metastatic spread is no significant difference manifested (87%/74%). In 15 out of 17 patients with an apparently relapse-free course both during and after hospitalization, the CA 15-3 value was normal where the CEA value was pathologic. Tumor progression would thus seem improbable where there is a pathologic CEA value in conjunction with a normal CA 15-3 value. In follow-up of breast cancer, simultaneously assay of both "nonredundant" tumor markers, which represent a useful spectrum for tumor control, is to be recommended.
authors.affiliation: Universitäts-Frauenklinik Heidelberg, Abteilung allgemeine Geburtshilfe.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Engel
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schmid
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hanke
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kaufmann
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Müller
mesh_terms: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000378:metabolism*; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen
vernacular_title: CA 15-3 und CEA als Tumormarker zur Rezidivdiagnostik beim Mammakarzinom.