title: Use of tumour marker immunoreactivity to identify primary site of metastatic cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether variations in the expression of tumour related antigens can predict the origin of tumours.
  
  
  METHODS
  Immunohistological study of tumour marker expression in primary adenocarcinomas and respective metastatic deposits. Antibodies to the following tumour markers were used: polymorphic epithelial mucin (NCRC-11 and SM3), carcinoembryonic antigen, carcinoembryonic antigen with non-specific antigen co-specificity, CA125, CA19.9, prostate specific antigens, and thyroglobulin.
  
  
  METHODS
  Histopathology department of teaching hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  100 pathology sections of metastatic adenocarcinoma and their related primary tumours.
  
  
  METHODS
  Concordance of reactivity between primary and metastatic tumours. Reactivity profiles of tumour sites.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The correct primary site of origin was predicted in 70% (33/47) of tumours in men and 54% (27/43) tumours in women with antibodies SM3, 288, CA19.9, CA125, and PSA (men only). Specificities ranged from 68% for breast tumour to 98% for prostate tumour.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of tumour markers in patients presenting with metastatic adenocarcinoma of unknown origin can help localise the probable primary sites and reduce the need for extensive and expensive imaging techniques.
authors: Department of Histopathology, City Hospital, Nottingham.
authors: A R
authors: AR
authors: Gamble
authors: J A
authors: JA
authors: Bell
authors: J E
authors: JE
authors: Ronan
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Pearson
authors: I O
authors: IO
authors: Ellis
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000556:secondary*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000276:immunology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D009382:Neoplasms, Unknown Primary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor