Abstract
Squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC Ag) is a tumour marker that has been mainly used in patients with carcinoma of the cervix. Its use in SCC of the head and neck and lung has been recently reported. However, SCC Ag has also been demonstrated immunohistochemically in normal squamous epithelium. The aim of this study was to investigate whether serum SCC Ag levels were elevated In non-neoplastic cutaneous disorders or in patients with renal failure. Serum SCC Ag levels were measured by radioimmunoassay in 56 healthy subjects, 83 patients with various skin disorders and 19 patients with renal failure. The majority of patients with extensive cutaneous disease had elevated levels. Percentage of skin surface area involved but not severity or a derived severity index, correlated with serum SCC Ag levels. Psoriasis had a less predictable effect on SCC Ag levels than atopic dermatitis affecting the same percentage or skin area. Renal failure also caused elevated levels. SCC Ag is not a reliable tumour marker in patients with SCC at any site if they suffer from a cutaneous disorder involving more than 2% of skin surface area or if they have moderate to severe impairment of renal function. Squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC Ag) is a tumour marker that has been mainly used in patients with carcinoma of the cervix. Its use in SCC of the head and neck and lung has been recently reported. However, SCC Ag has also been demonstrated immunohistochemically in normal squamous epithelium. The aim of this study was to investigate whether serum SCC Ag levels were elevated In non-neoplastic cutaneous disorders or in patients with renal failure. Serum SCC Ag levels were measured by radioimmunoassay in 56 healthy subjects, 83 patients with various skin disorders and 19 patients with renal failure. The majority of patients with extensive cutaneous disease had elevated levels. Percentage of skin surface area involved but not severity or a derived severity index, correlated with serum SCC Ag levels. Psoriasis had a less predictable effect on SCC Ag levels than atopic dermatitis affecting the same percentage or skin area. Renal failure also caused elevated levels. SCC Ag is not a reliable tumour marker in patients with SCC at any site if they suffer from a cutaneous disorder involving more than 2% of skin surface area or if they have moderate to severe impairment of renal function.
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