Efficiency of serum tumour markers oral squamous cell carcinoma patients

Abstract

Purpose:Recently, the role of serum tumor marker has been studied for a n important issue on diagnos-ing and treating tumors in the head and neck region because tes ts using tumor markers need relativelysimple procedures and are acceptable to patients, compared with other test methods. Tumor marker testswere performed on patients with squamous cell carcinoma, which were known to have the highest preva-lence among tumors in the head and neck region. Association between each tumor marker, and diagnosisand prognosis of tumors was assessed.Materials and methods:Tumor marker tests were carried out on 31 patients who visited Oral andMaxillofacial Surgery Department in Dankook University Dental Hospital between January 2003 andAugust 2008 and who were diagnosed as primary oral squamous cell carcinoma through out histopathologicdiagnosis. Blood sample from these patients was performed to measure tumor markers using nuclear medi-cine diagnostic equipment. Measured entries were as follows: PSA(prostate-specific antibody), SCC-Ag(Squamous Cell Carcinoma Related Antigen), CA 19-9(Cancer Antigen 19-9), Ferritin, α- FP(Alpha-Fetoprotein), Cyfra 21-1, CA125 (Cancer Antigen 125) and p53. Results:Analyses on each tumor marker indicated that squamous cell carcinoma in the head and neckregion had statistically significant correlation with p53, SCC-Ag(TA-4), Cyfra 21-1 and Ferritin. p53demonstrated the highest sensitivity.Especially, 4 cases among 18 cases which Ferritin was measured exhibited metastasis. In all those 4 cas-es, Ferritin values were higher than the standards (15 - 332ng/ml). Therefore, Ferritin is considered tohave a close relation with metastasis of squamous cell carcinoma.Conclusion:This study shows that tumor marker tests are more useful in eva luating progression andprognosis of tumors rather than in diagnosing them. Particularly, serum Ferritin is considered to be benefi-cial in assessing metastasis of squamous cell carcinoma in the head and neck region and in developingtreatment plans based on the assessment. Key words:Tumor marker, Oral squamous cell carcinoma, Ferritin