A prospective evaluation of CA15-3 in stage I carcinoma of the breast.
BACKGROUND
Carcinoma of the breast is characterized by a variable course with prognosis dependent on disease stage at presentation. Paradoxically, some patients with early malignancy demonstrate disease progression within a short time. The role of tumor markers in the management of carcinoma of the breast is controversial. While CA15-3 is the most widely used tumor marker in carcinoma of the breast, its role in the management of patients with early disease is controversial.


METHODS
Since 1986, all patients presenting to our unit with carcinoma of the breast have had serial CA15-3 levels measured. This study evaluates the role of serial CA15-3 levels in the management of a consecutive series of 168 patients with Stage I disease at presentation.


RESULTS
The mean preoperative CA15-3 levels at presentation were significantly elevated in patients with Stage I disease compared with patients with benign disease. Sixteen patients had either locoregional (five patients) or metastatic recurrence (11 patients). CA15-3 levels were not elevated in patients with locoregional disease and were significantly elevated in patients with bony metastases and gave a mean lead time of 6.3 months over bone scintigraphy.


CONCLUSIONS
Serial CA15-3 measurements are an efficient and cost-effective method of monitoring disease progression and have advantages over conventional investigations in patients with early carcinoma of the breast.
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University College, Hospital, Galway, Ireland.
D M
DM
O'Hanlon
M J
MJ
Kerin
P J
PJ
Kent
R
R
Skehill
D
D
Maher
H
H
Grimes
H F
HF
Given
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000556:secondary; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D018396:Mucin-1 / Q000097:blood*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000276:immunology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018396:Mucin-1