title: Serum B2-microglobulin determinations in patients bearing soft tissue sarcomas.
abstract: To determine whether serum beta 2-microglobulin values could be useful as a tumor marker in patients with soft tissue sarcomas, 31 preoperative sera stored in our serum bank were assayed by radioimmunoassay for beta 2-microglobulin levels. Sera were selected from patients known to have large bulky tumors, but no evidence of other major systemic disorders. Thirty-one sera of sex and age matched controls were assayed for comparison. The laboratory range for normal serum beta 2-microglobulin values was 1.1-2.4 mg/l. Our control patients had values ranging from 0.7-1.7 mg/l. Values in tumor patients ranged from 0.7-2.5 mg/l. No markedly elevated values were observed in any single patient. Four age groups, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, and 50-59 years, revealed no significant differences. This observation differs from previously reported data. Serum beta 2-microglobulin appears to have no value as a tumor marker in patients with soft tissue sarcomas. We were unable to substantiate findings by others that there is a significant increase in values of normal subjects corresponding to advancing age.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001609:Beta-Globulins / Q000032:analysis*; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005354:Fibrosarcoma / Q000097:blood; D018219:Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007890:Leiomyosarcoma / Q000097:blood; D008080:Liposarcoma / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012208:Rhabdomyosarcoma / Q000097:blood; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000097:blood*; D013584:Sarcoma, Synovial / Q000097:blood; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000097:blood*; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D001609:Beta-Globulins; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; D003404:Creatinine