Tumour markers in serum, bronchoalveolar lavage and biopsy cytosol in lung carcinoma: what environment lends the optimum diagnostic yield?
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic yield of the tumour markers carbohydrate antigen (CA 125), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC) and specific tissue polypeptide antigen (TPS) in serum, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and biopsy cytosol in a group of patients with bronchogenic carcinoma.


METHODS
Serum, BAL and biopsy cytosol samples were collected in a group of 85 patients with benign or malignant pulmonary diseases. After appropriate processing, tumour markers were determined by enzyme immunoassay. The diagnostic yields (sensitivity, specificity and accuracy) in each environment (serum, BAL or biopsy) were obtained by using "ROC" curves.


RESULTS
Determined individually, CA 125, NSE and SCC show the greatest diagnostic accuracy in cytosol. CEA and TPS do so in BAL. CEA is the most relevant marker in serum and BAL, and CA 125 in cytosol. When the different tumour markers are associated, they offer better overall yields for all except TPS.


CONCLUSIONS
For the factors evaluated in this study, determination of CEA in BAL was clinically the most useful marker in comparison with serum and cytosol determinations, although the latter may also be helpful in certain situations. Although there is no specific tumour marker for lung cancer, the combination of several can be used to monitor most patients with lung cancer.
Pina
T C
TC
Department of Clinical Analysis, "Virgen de la Arrixaca" University Hospital, 30120 El Palmar, Murcia, Spain. mlealh@papps.org
Zapata
I T
IT
Hernández
F C
FC
López
J B
JB
Paricio
P P
PP
Hernández
P M
PM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D001706:Biopsy; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D003600:Cytosol / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor