title: A comparison of fast homoarginine-sensitive alkaline phosphatase and carcinoembryonic antigen as markers in colon carcinoma.
abstract: The diagnostic value of a recently described cancer marker, fast homoarginine-sensitive alkaline phosphatase ( FHAP ), was compared with the established marker, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), in the diagnosis of colon cancer. Comparisons were made with respect to sensitivity, specificity, predictive value of a positive result, and efficiency. An upper limit of normal of 2.1 units/L was assumed for FHAP , based on earlier studies. Two values for the upper limit of normal for CEA were tested: 2.5 ng/mL and 5.0 ng/mL. When 2.5 ng/mL was used as the upper limit of normal for CEA, FHAP was less sensitive, more specific, and had a higher predictive value. The diagnostic efficiency was not significantly different. When the upper limit of normal for CEA was set at 5.0 ng/mL, the two tests were roughly equal in sensitivity, specificity, predictive value, and diagnostic efficiency.
mesh_terms: D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood*; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000097:blood*; D012016:Reference Values
chemical_list: D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D007527:Isoenzymes; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase