title: Serum sialic acid forms as markers for head and neck malignancies.
abstract: The value of protein-bound (PSA), lipid-bound (LSA) and free sialic acid (FSA) levels in the serum as marker was assessed together with its use as a prognostic indicator for head and neck cancers in 165 patients followed-up for over 18 months. Elevated PSA levels were found in 57% of patients with benign disorders, 52% with primary head and neck cancers, and 75% with metastatic cancer. Strong correlation was found between PSA and the regression/progression of the disease. The PSA level essentially returned to normal in patients with favorable prognosis and PSA levels showed a tendency to increase or remain at high levels in patients with a poor prognosis. These results suggest that PSA level is a better prognostic indicator in head and neck cancers, for which there is no available tumor marker.
authors.affiliation: Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute, Ahmedabad, India.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bhatavdekar
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Vora
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Patel
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D011379:Prognosis; D012794:Sialic Acids / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D001798:Blood Proteins; D008055:Lipids; D012794:Sialic Acids