title: Squamous cell carcinoma antigen: a role in the early identification of nodal metastases in men with squamous cell carcinoma of the penis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate whether serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCAg) measurements may be of use in identifying nodal metastases in patients with SCC of the penis after treating the primary tumour.
  
  
  METHODS
  The levels of SCCAg were analysed in 11 men with penile SCC between 1994 and 2001.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An elevated SCCAg level had a sensitivity of 57% (95% confidence interval, CI, 18-90%) and a specificity of 100% (CI 40-100%) for nodal metastases. Levels of SCCAg increased exponentially in patients who developed nodal metastases after treatment of the primary tumour, and were elevated before clinical or radiological evidence of nodal disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Either the absolute level or the rate of rise of SCCAg may be a useful tool with which to follow patients after excision of the primary tumour. It may be more sensitive than computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in detecting recurrence, but further evaluation is needed.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Urology, Charing Cross Hospital and The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Laniado
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lowdell
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Christmas
mesh_terms: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000097:blood*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000276:immunology / Q000556:secondary*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010412:Penile Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015843:Serpins
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015843:Serpins; C051072:squamous cell carcinoma-related antigen