title: Squamous cell carcinoma antigen: pretreatment levels as an indicator of advanced or metastatic disease.
abstract: Pretreatment values of squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC) were obtained in 100 consecutive patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix presenting to the Regional Gynaecological Oncology Centre in Gateshead, UK. Nine patients deemed to have locally advanced disease not suitable for primary surgery had elevated levels. Ninety-one patients were suitable for primary surgery. Sixty-seven had normal SCC levels, two of which had lymph node metastases. Twenty-four had elevated SCC levels, 14 of which had lymph node metastases. Two early recurrences have been detected in the raised SCC group where no lymph node metastases were present. Elevated levels of SCC in the pretreatment assessment indicate a high risk of lymph node metastases and of developing recurrent disease after primary surgery.
authors.affiliation: Regional Department of Gynaecological Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Sherriff Hill, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, UK.
authors.forename: D.W.G.
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Beynon
authors.forename: A.
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.forename: G.
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: V.
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Daras
authors.forename: J.M.
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Monaghan