[Value of tumor-associated antigens CA 72-4 vs. CEA and CA 19-9 in the follow-up after stomach cancer].
OBJECTIVE
To compare the value of tumour markers CA-72-4 and CA 19-9 and the cardioembryonic antigen (CEA) in the follow-up of patients after potentially curative surgery of gastric carcinoma.


METHODS
CA 72-4, CA 19-9 and CEA were measured prospectively in 279 patients 1-36 months after potentially curative primary surgery for histologically proven gastric carcinoma. Evaluation was by "receiver-operating-characteristics" (ROC) curves using "believe the positive" rules as well as by linear combinations.


RESULTS
Recurrences were found in 54 patients. CA 72-4 (by radioimmunoassay) was the most sensitive single test (sensitivity 43%, specificity 95%). Radioimmunological and enzyme-immunological tests of CA 79-4 correlated well (r = 0.8). The various values, obtained by certain test kits, when newly calculated for the purpose of after-care, differed markedly from upper limits reported by the manufacturers. Measurement of both CA 72-4 and CA 19-9 increased the sensitivity to 54%.


CONCLUSIONS
Special levels of CA 72-4 and CA 19-9 have been identified which are of value in the follow-up of patients after operation for gastric carcinoma. Single measurements of CA 74-2 are as a rule preferable to those of CA 19-9 or of both CA 11-9 and CEA. In fact, CEA should be measured only in exceptional circumstances. But combined measurements of CA 72-4 and CA 19-9 increase sensitivity and prognostic value of the results.
Gärtner
U
U
Paracelsus-Klinik, Bad Gandersheim.
Scheulen
M E
ME
Conradt
C
C
Wiefelspütz
J
J
Kruck
P
P
Aghabi
E
E
Delbrück
H
H
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000276:immunology / Q000601:surgery; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000276:immunology*; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005743:Gastrectomy; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000601:surgery*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen
Wertigkeit des tumorassoziierten Antigens CA 72-4 gegenüber CEA und CA 19-9 in der Magenkarzinom-Nachsorge.