Abstract
Background: The influence of irradiation on the tumor marker thymidine kinase in patients with malignant disease was investigated. Patients and Methods: Serum thymidine kinase (S-TK) was determined in 31 patients with histologically proven malignant disease before, during and after radiation therapy. 16 patients had malignant lymphoma, 10 ENT tumors and 5 prostate carcinomas. Results were compared with data from 56 tumor patients, who were clinically in complete remission. Results: In 38% of the irradiated patients and in 18% of the control patients in complete remission S-TK was elevated ( Conclusions: Although a significant increase in S-TK in the 1st week and a fall during the 2nd week of treatment in malignant lymphoma patients could be observed, S-TK determinations after completion of radiation therapy do not appear to be an indicator of complete tumor elimination or of residual tumor. However, in malignant lymphoma the level of S-TK and its decline under radiation treatment seem to be a prognostic factor for response to therapy.
Published Version
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