title: The Level of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Antigen and Lymph Node Metastasis in Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aimed to determine the utility and a cut-off level of serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag) to predict lymph node metastasis in locally advanced cervical cancer cases. We also investigated the correlation between SCC-Ag level and lymph node status.
  
  
  METHODS
  From June 2009 to June 2014, 232 patients with cervical cancer stage IB2-IVA, who were treated at Ramathibodi Hospital, were recruited. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to identify the best cut-off point of SCC-Ag level to predict lymph node metastasis. Quantile regression was performed to evaluate the correlation between SCC-Ag levels and pelvic lymph node metastasis, paraaortic lymph node metastasis, and parametrial involvement as well as tumor size.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pelvic lymph node metastasis and paraaortic lymph node metastasis were diagnosed in 46.6% and 20.1% of the patients, respectively. The median SCC-Ag level was 6 ng/mL (range, 0.5 to 464.6 ng/ mL). The areas under ROC curves between SCC-Ag level and pelvic lymph node metastasis, paraaotic lymph node metastasis, parametrial involvements were low. SCC-Ag level was significantly correlated with paraaortic lymph node status (p=0.045) but not with pelvic lymph node status and parametrial involvement. SCC-Ag level was also related to the tumor diameter (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SCC-Ag level is not a good predictor for pelvic and paraaortic lymph node metastasis. However, it is still beneficial to assess the tumor burden of squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand E-mail : chuenkamonc@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Navamol
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lekskul
authors.forename: Chuenkamon
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Charakorn
authors.forename: Arb-Aroon
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Lertkhachonsuk
authors.forename: Sasivimol
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rattanasiri
authors.forename: Nathpong
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Israngura Na Ayudhya
mesh_terms: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000378:metabolism*; D018196:Carcinoma, Adenosquamous / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010220:Para-Aortic Bodies / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D010386:Pelvic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary*; D011379:Prognosis; D015843:Serpins / Q000378:metabolism*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D015843:Serpins; C051072:squamous cell carcinoma-related antigen