The Role Of Tumor Marker CA 15-3 In Detection of Breast Cancer Relapse After Curative Mastectomy.
- Author:
In Young HYUN
1
;
In Ho KIM
;
Moon Hee LEE
;
Chul Soo KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Nuclear Medicine, Inha University College of Medicine, Inchon, Korea. iyhyun@inha.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
breast cancer;
CA 15-3;
follow-up;
relapse;
tumor marker
- MeSH:
Breast Neoplasms*;
Breast*;
Diagnosis;
Follow-Up Studies;
Humans;
Liver;
Mastectomy*;
Neoplasm Metastasis;
Prognosis;
Recurrence*;
Sensitivity and Specificity
- From:Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
2004;38(4):311-317
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the utility of tumor marker CA 15-3 in the following: the diagnosis of breast cancer relapse after curative mastectomy, and the differentiation of the value of tumor marker by site of metastases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred two patients (median age 48 years) with breast cancer included in the follow-up after curative mastectomy. The tumor marker CA 15-3 was determined by IRMA (CIS BIO INTERNATIONAL, France). Test values > 30 U/ml were considered elevated (positive). RESULTS: Among 202 patients, recurrent diseases were found in 16 patients. CA 15-3 was elevated in 5 of 16 patients with recurrences. There was no false-positive patient who had elevated CA 15-3. Sensitivity and specificity of CA 15-3 for detection of breast cancer recurrence were 31%, and 100%. CA 15-3 was elevated in all of the 4 patients with liver metastases. CA 15-3 was elevated in none of the patients who relapsed with metastasis to bone-only or contralateral breast-only. CONCLUSION: The tumor marker CA 15-3 in the detection of breast cancer relapse after curative mastectomy is specific, but not sensitive. However, it is useful to rule out liver metastases of breast cancer, which indicates bad prognosis.
