Early diagnosis and treatment monitoring roles of tumor markers Cyfra 21-1 and TPS in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Mucosal oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) accounts for 3-5% of all reported cancers, with a 5-year survival rate of approximately 50%. Unfortunately, current detection means are of no value in diagnosing lesions early enough for cure, especially when they recur after resection. Postoperative radiotherapy and/or covering the resection site with reconstructive flaps (regional or free vascularized) often makes early diagnosis an impossible task. The authors examined the detection and treatment monitoring capacity of two relatively new tumor markers in the serum of SCC patients, comparing their levels with those in patients with other oral/perioral malignancies or benign oral tumors and with disease free, posttreatment SCC patients and healthy controls. Values of sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative prediction for Cyfra 21-1 were 96%, 87%, 93%, and 53%, respectively, whereas those for tissue polypeptide specific antigen (TPS) were 69%, 87%, 93%, and 54%, respectively. Approximately 2-3 weeks after resection of the SCC lesion, Cyfra 21-1 and TPS levels were reduced by 47% (P < or = 0.003) and 36% (P < or = 0.041), respectively. Cyfra 21-1 levels in SCC patients were significantly greater than those of healthy patients by 73% (P < or = 0.0001), patients with benign tumors by 74% (P < or = 0.0003), and patients in disease remission by 66% (P < or = 0.0002). Similarly, the TPS levels of SCC patients were significantly greater than those of healthy patients by 59% (P < or = 0.0005), patients with benign tumors by 55% (P < or = 0.0001), and patients in disease remission by 59% (P < or = 0.0001). In two patients, a second, new SCC lesion was diagnosed within the follow-up period, with increased tumor markers noted concomitantly with the diagnosis. The accumulated data point to the suitability of the clinical usage of these two markers, especially Cyfra 21-1, in the early detection of oral SCC lesions (primary, recurrent, or secondary) as well as for treatment monitoring. These results may open new avenues for the diagnosis and follow-up of these patients and hopefully improve their treatment outcome.