Limited clinical significance of the serum tumour marker Ca 72-4 in colorectal cancer.
BACKGROUND
We explored the potential value of CA 72-4 in the staging and prognostic prediction of colorectal cancer, as compared to six previously investigated serum tumour markers - CEA, CA 19-9, CA 50, CA 242, TPA, and TPS.


METHODS
CA 72-4 was analysed using an immunoradiometric assay in serum samples obtained, prior to surgery, from 196 consecutive patients resected between Jan. 1987 and Nov. 1992.


RESULTS
CA 72-4 levels increased with progressive tumour stages; a high level correlated with poor prognosis. However, the information obtained from CA 72-4 did not improve the ease of staging, as compared with other tumour markers. Various combinations of CA 72-4 with the other tumour markers did not add any substantial information to the staging process either. The value of the CA 72-4 in prognostic prediction, as shown in the univariate analysis, was limited in the multivariate tumour marker analyses.


CONCLUSIONS
CA 72-4 does not improve the staging and prognostic prediction of colorectal cancer, when compared with other serum tumour markers used.
Lindmark
G
G
Department of Surgery, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
Kressner
U
U
Bergström
R
R
Glimelius
B
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate / Q000097:blood*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000097:blood; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016019:Survival Analysis
D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C083825:CA-72-4 antigen; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen