Comparison of serum CA 72-4 and CA 19-9 levels in gastric cancer patients and correlation with recurrence.
BACKGROUND
This longitudinal prospective study evaluates the serum levels of the tumor markers CA 72-4 and CA 19-9, alone or in combination, in gastric cancer patients.


METHODS
Serum tumor markers CA 72-4 and CA 19-9 were measured in 52 patients who had gastric adenocarcinomas and 32 with benign gastric disorders. Serial measurements of these markers were carried out in 30 cancer patients at a median follow-up time of 38 months.


RESULTS
CA 72-4 and CA 19-9 had sensitivities of 42% and 46% for the preoperative detection of gastric cancer. Sensitivity for the two combined was 63%. CA 72-4 provided 100% specificity, compared to 72% for CA 19-9. Postoperatively, 17 cancer patients remained disease-free. Sixteen of these maintained normal levels of CA 72-4, and 10 of CA 19-9. Thirteen patients developed recurrent disease. In 9, serum CA 72-4 levels rose from near-normal after surgery and reached diagnostic values approximately 6 months before clinical diagnosis of recurrence. Only 3 patients exhibited such a pattern with CA 19-9.


CONCLUSIONS
CA 72-4 is a reliable marker in gastric cancer. Postoperative serial sampling of CA 72-4 may facilitate early identification of recurrences.
Joypaul
B
B
Department of Surgery, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, Scotland.
Browning
M
M
Newman
E
E
Byrne
D
D
Cuschieri
A
A
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D000368:Aged; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate / Q000097:blood*; D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000097:blood; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology
D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen; C083825:CA-72-4 antigen