BREAST CANCER

Abstract

Cancer is a group of diseases with uncontrolled cellular proliferation. Breast cancer accounts for 25% of all cancer deaths in females worldwide. Monoclonal antibodies are used for the detection of tumor markers in order for rapid diagnosis and understanding of the nature of cancer at molecular level. On co-fetal antigens like carcinoembryonic antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3) are a new generation of clinically useful tumor markers. Elevated levels of CA 15-3 are related to stages in primary breast cancer, tumor size and nodal status. Significantly elevated sialic acid concentrations havebeen found in breast cancer patients and show correlation with tumor stage. Although total sialic acid has been used as general cancer marker but its role as diagnostic and prognostic marker has not been reported. Objective: This project was designed to study the sensitivity and specificity of sialic acid in breast cancer patients and was compared to CA 15-3, which is one of the most specific markers of breast cancer. Study design: Comparative study. Setting: Shaikh Zayed Medical Complex. Material and Methods: 66 breast cancer patients and 30 normal individuals (controls) were included in the study to compare serum sialic acid with CA 15-3 as tumor marker. Sialic acid was estimated by colorimetric method while CA 15-3 by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Results: The sensitivity and specificity of CA 15-3 in breast cancer patients was 62.5% and 80% while that of sialic acid was 62% and 76% respectively. The sensitivity of CA 15-3 and sialic acid in patients with ductal breast carcinoma was 62.5% and 54.16% whereas the specificity of CA 15-3 and sialic acid was 80% and 76% respectively. The sensitivity of CA 15-3 and sialic acid in patients with lobular breast carcinoma was 83.33% and 75% whereas the specificity of CA 15-3 and sialic acid was 80% and 76% respectively. Conclusion: It was concluded that sialic acid can be used as a tumor marker in breast cancer patients and has sensitivity and specificity similar to CA15-3. However, CA 15-3appears to have better predictive value.