[Preoperative serum CA15.3 and CEA levels and clinical-biological parameters in breast tumors].
OBJECTIVE
To study the possible associations between preoperative serum CEA and CA15.3 levels and different clinical-biological parameters of infiltrating ductal carcinomas of the breast (IDC).


METHODS
Preoperative serum CA15.3 and CEA levels were determined in 255 and 224 females, respectively, having IDC. We assayed the cytosolic levels of estrogen receptor, pS2, cathepsin D and hyaluronic acid, as well as the levels of epidermal growth factor receptor in cell surfaces. Tumor size, axillary involvement (N), distant metastasis (M), histological grade (HG) and cellular S-phase (SP) were taken into account.


RESULTS
22 IDC were positive for CA15.3 (> 40 U/ml) and they had greater global tumor size (p < 0.001), > 2 cm (p: 0.005) and distant metastasis (p < 0.001). 19 IDC were positive for CEA (> 4 ng/ml) and they had greater global tumor size (p < 0.001), > 2 cm (p < 0.001), > 5 cm (p: 0.052) and global S-phase values (p: 0.062), and were more frequently N + (p: 0.045), > 3N + (p: 0.001) and > 10N + (p < 0.001), M + (p: 0.004), HG3 (p: 0.091) and SP > 7 % (p: 0.006).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results led us to the following: In patients having IDC of the breast, preoperative serum CA15.3 levels are associated with greater tumor size and distant metastasis, while pre-treatment CEA serum levels are associated moreover with axillary involvement; we have not observed any correlation between serum levels of both antigens and the hormonal status of the tumor; these results had physiopathological interest but reduced clinical value in pretreatment breast carcinomas due to their low sensitivity of both markers. However, they are useful in the follow-up of the patients when assessing serum concentrations of both markers, since they contribute to knowing the patients' clinical status better.
Ruibal
A
A
Servicio de Medicina Nuclear, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Santiago de Compostela, España. alvaro.ruibal.morell@sergas.es
Garrido Pumar
M
M
Arias
J I
JI
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001365:Axilla; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D002402:Cathepsin D / Q000032:analysis; D003600:Cytosol / Q000737:chemistry; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008408:Mastectomy; D008875:Middle Aged; D018396:Mucin-1 / Q000097:blood*; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D000071163:Trefoil Factor-1; D047368:Tumor Burden; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000032:analysis
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D018396:Mucin-1; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; C051838:TFF1 protein, human; D000071163:Trefoil Factor-1; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D002402:Cathepsin D