Utilidad de los marcadores tumorales como cribado de neoplasia oculta en enfermedad tromboembólica

Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate the use of the tumour markers (TM) as part the advanced screening of occult neoplasia, in patients with thromboembolic disease (TED). Material and methodsA retrospective study was conducted between January 2007 and December 2008 on patients diagnosed with TED in our centre. The sample included 63.4% males, and 36.6% females, with a mean age of 62.8 years. The following TM were evaluated in a blood sample taken within one month after the diagnosis of TED: cancer antigen 19.9 (Ca 19.9), cancer antigen 125 (Ca 125), cancer antigen 15.3 (Ca 15.3), embryonic carcinoma antigen (CEA), alpha fetoprotein (AFP), and prostate specific antigen (PSA). The inclusion criteria were, DVT of lower and upper limbs, TEP diagnosed by imaging technique, acute clinic signs. Exclusion criteria: previous known neoplasia, non-idiopathic DVT, impossibility of follow-up. ResultsThe statistical analysis was performed on the basis of 122 patients out of 199 initially included, with an average follow-up of 38 months. At the end of the study no significant differences were found as regards the subsequent finding of a neoplasia in patients with positive TM values compared with those with negative values (Ca 125: P=.161; Ca 15.3: P=.930; CEA: P=.703; PSA: P=.382; AFP: 100% patients with negative values). Exempting the Ca 19.9 (P<.000). ConclusionsAs a conclusion of our study, TM as extensive screening of early stages of cancer after TED, is not useful for detecting an occult neoplasia during follow-up.