Abstract
The serum concentrations of CEA, AFP and hCG were extensively studied. Levels of CEA, AFP and hCG were positive in 18%, 15% and 10% of patients, respectively. The positive rate examined by a combination assay using the three tumor markers was about twice as great as that obtained by single assay. The patients' sera positive to tumor markers showed many metastases to lymph nodes, deep invasion in the gastric wall and a high incidence of vessel invasion. Five year survival rate was 73% for cases negative for CEA, AFP and hCG, but the rate were 8%, 19% and 0% for CEA, AFP or hCG positive cases, respectively. Patients with CEA, AFP or hCG positive serum had a poorer prognosis than those with negative carcinomas. Liver metastases were frequently seen in AFP positive patients and the rate of bone metastases was high in cases positive for hCG. These results demonstrated that staging, curability and recurrence may be more easily diagnosed by a combination assay than assaying each macker. In patients showing high serum concentrations of CEA, AFP or hCG, it is necessary to perform extensive resection and multimodal therapy.
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