Clinical Role of CEA in Human Mammary Carcinoma

Abstract

Single measurement of the two-biochemical tumor markers (CA 15-3) and CEA
were carried out in serum samples obtained from 40 healthy donors, 22 breast benign
patients and 122 breast cancer patients. Mean values of these tumor markers in breast
cancer patients were significantly higher (P<0.05) than that found in healthy normal or
patients with benign breast tumors.
CA15-3 shows the best sensitivity (54%) for detecting preoperative breast cancer
patients, than CEA, which gave (44%) sensitivity. Also, CA15-3 gave the highest
specificity (100%) for discriminating non-malignant patients while CEA had specificity of
(77%).
The cytosolic CEA concentration was determined in the tumor, benign and normal
tissue of breast cancer patients. Significant differences between values from the tumor and
normal specimens were found. There was no correlation between the preoperative levels of
serum CEA and cytosol level of CEA in the patients with carcinoma. Also, CEA in
cytosols did not correlate with either stage or histology. It was concluded that the test
might provide calculable information for the evaluation and planning of treatment.