The clinical value of squamous cell carcinoma antigen in patients irradiated for locally advanced cancer of the head and neck.
OBJECTIVE
This study examines the value of squamous cell cancer (SCC) antigen in patients irradiated for locally advanced cancer of the head and neck.


METHODS
In 20 patients (group A) treated with radiochemotherapy and in 20 patients (group B) receiving postoperative irradiation serum SCC values were investigated.


RESULTS
The pretreatment SCC level was 1.6 ng/ml in group A and 1.3 ng/ml in group B. In group A 15% had elevated serum SCC levels above the cut-off level. In group B there were 10%. During follow-up (median 20 months), 10 patients in group A and 8 in group B suffered from a recurrent or progressing disease. Of these 20% in group A and 12.5% in group B had elevated SCC levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that, in the described patient groups, SCC is probably of low value for tumor diagnosis and follow-up.
Micke
Oliver
O
Klinik und Poliklinik für Strahlentherapie-Radioonkologie, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Str. 33, 48129 Münster, Germany. omicke@uni-muenster.de
Bruns
Frank
F
Schäfer
Ulrich
U
Horst
Eckehard
E
Büntzel
Jens
J
Willich
Normann
N
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000097:blood*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015843:Serpins; D013997:Time Factors
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015843:Serpins; C051072:squamous cell carcinoma-related antigen