Increased levels of tumor markers in the follow-up of 400 patients with breast cancer without recurrence or metastasis: interpretation of false-positive results.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze, study and interpret the increased levels of tumor markers in breast cancer patients without recurrence or metastasis.


METHODS
We studied a series of 400 patients with stage 1 breast cancer during a 3-year follow-up after primary treatment. Follow-up included frequent serum estimation of CEA, CA 15.3, CA 125, CA 27-29, TPA and TPS tumor markers.


RESULTS
Of 358 patients being continuously disease-free, 18 (5%) cases showed false-positive levels of tumor markers, associated with benign conditions and not to cancer recurrence or metastasis. These conditions included ovarian cysts, thyroid disorders, hepatitis, renal stone and sarcoidosis.


CONCLUSIONS
The value of increased tumor markers should be interpreted cautiously because it doesn't always imply disease recurrence. Tumor markers may increase in many benign conditions.
Zervoudis
S
S
Breast Department, "Lito" Maternity Hospital Athens and Ioannina University, Greece. szervoud@otenet.gr
Peitsidis
P
P
Iatrakis
G
G
Panourgias
E
E
Koureas
A
A
Navrozoglou
I
I
Dubois
J B
JB
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor