title: The diagnostic value of CA 27-29, CA 15-3, mucin-like carcinoma antigen, carcinoembryonic antigen and CA 19-9 in breast and gastrointestinal malignancies.
abstract: In the past decade, considerable interest has arisen for defining the role of various tumor markers in the diagnosis of cancer. This cross-sectional study evaluates four breast cancer markers (CA 27-29, CA 15-3, MCA and CEA) and two gastrointestinal (GI) markers (CA 19-9 and CEA) in 213 patients. Receiver operating curves (ROC) revealed a sensitivity for the 90% specificity cutoff for breast cancers compared to breast benign diseases of 70% for CA 27-29, 67.5% for CA 15-3, 52.5% for MCA and 40% for CEA. When GI tumors were compared to benign GI disease, the sensitivity for 90% specificity was 40.3% for CEA and 32.3% for CA 19-9. Comparison of breast cancer and GI malignancies with other malignancies leads to a marked shift of the ROC curve to the right and loss of specificity. Late stage for all breast and GI tumor markers was found to be a predictor of high serum antigen level (p < 0.001). The presence of liver metastases in breast cancer was associated with abnormal levels of CA 27-29 (p = 0.028). Pancreas adenocarcinomas had a higher CA 19-9 antigen level (p < 0.001) than other GI malignancies. CA 27-29 appears to be at least as sensitive and specific as CA 15-3 in patients with breast cancer. None of the above markers retain their specificity when compared with a control group consisting of other malignancies.
authors.affiliation: Montreal General Hospital, McGill University, Department of Medicine, Que., Canada.
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Frenette
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Thirlwell
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trudeau
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Thomson
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Shuster
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000097:blood*; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate / Q000097:blood; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000097:blood; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018396:Mucin-1 / Q000097:blood; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C090797:CA 27-29 antigen; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D018396:Mucin-1; C057387:mucinous carcinoma-associated antigen