Intraoperative and postoperative kinetics of serum tumor markers in patients with oral carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
There are no reliable laboratory procedures to monitor intraoperative tumor antigen dispersal in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. This study evaluated the use of serologic parameters as perioperative indicators of systemic manifestations.


METHODS
In 28 patients, serial measurements of different tumor markers (squamous cell carcinoma antigen, carcinoembryonic antigen, carbohydrate antigen 19.9, carcinoma antigen 125) were made preoperatively, intraoperatively, and postoperatively at short intervals to determine the influence of tumor ablation on the antigen concentration in the serum. A microparticle enzyme immunoassay was used for the serologic analysis.


RESULTS
Squamous cell carcinoma antigen showed elevated serum levels preoperatively, which increased intraoperatively and decreased significantly postoperatively. The serologic examinations in the control group and the other tumor markers showed no correlation with the clinical situation.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that the titer of squamous cell carcinoma antigen in serum has a positive correlation with the tumor burden and the operative trauma in the case of surgery. These results support the value of intraoperative and postoperative serum antigen monitoring.
Hoffmann
J
J
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Tübingen, Germany.
Munz
A
A
Krimmel
M
M
Alfter
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000097:blood*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D018394:CA-125 Antigen / Q000097:blood; D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen / Q000097:blood; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000097:blood; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000276:immunology / Q000601:surgery*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007700:Kinetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D015166:Monitoring, Immunologic / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative / Q000379:methods; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000601:surgery*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D015843:Serpins
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018394:CA-125 Antigen; D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D015843:Serpins; C051072:squamous cell carcinoma-related antigen