Circulating markers and growth factors as prognosticators in men with advanced tongue cancer.
A retrospective study was performed on 52 advanced tongue cancer patients (stages III + IV) in order to assess the prognostic value of circulating prolactin, tissue polypeptide-specific antigen (TPS), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and epidermal growth factor (EGF). These markers were correlated with short-term prognosis (2 years). The advanced tongue cancer patients had significantly elevated levels of prolactin (p < 0.02), TPS (p < 0.05) and EGF (p < 0.01) and low levels of IGF-1 when compared to controls. The patients were grouped according to the commonly used cut-off levels of these markers. A significant difference in survival was observed only between two subgroups of prolactin (< 15.0 and > 15.0 ng/ml; p < 0.001). Hence, prolactin may provide an independent predictor of short-term prognosis in patients with advanced tongue cancer.
Division of Research, Gujarat Cancer Society, Asarwa, Ahmedabad, India.
J M
JM
Bhatavdekar
D D
DD
Patel
H H
HH
Vora
D B
DB
Balar
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality; D002455:Cell Division; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000097:blood; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis; D015993:Life Tables; D008297:Male; D010455:Peptides / Q000097:blood; D011379:Prognosis; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D015996:Survival Rate; D019396:Tissue Polypeptide Antigen; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D006133:Growth Substances; D010455:Peptides; D019396:Tissue Polypeptide Antigen; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D011388:Prolactin