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Concentration of free hCGβ subunit in serum as a prognostic marker for squamous‐cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx
Author(s) -
Hedström Johan,
Grenman Reidar,
Ramsay Hans,
Finne Patrik,
Lundin Johan,
Haglund Caj,
Alfthan Henrik,
Stenman UlfHåkan
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
international journal of cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.475
H-Index - 234
eISSN - 1097-0215
pISSN - 0020-7136
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0215(19991022)84:5<525::aid-ijc14>3.0.co;2-q
Subject(s) - medicine , proportional hazards model , cancer , gastroenterology , stage (stratigraphy) , basal cell , tumor marker , confidence interval , oral cavity , carcinoma , predictive marker , oncology , pathology , biology , paleontology , orthodontics
This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical usefulness of serum hCGβ in the diagnosis and prognosis of patients ( n = 59) with cancers of the oral cavity and oropharynx. As a reference marker we used squamous‐cell carcinoma antigen (SCCAg). A blood sample was obtained from all patients before primary surgery. Serum hCGβ was determined by a time‐resolved immunofluorometric assay (IFMA) and SCCAg by a solid phase immunoenzymometric assay. Elevated preoperative hCGβ levels were observed in 8 (14%) and elevated SCCAg in 12 (20%) out of 59 patients. Patients with preoperatively elevated hCGβ had a shorter recurrence‐free survival when compared with those with normal hCGβ levels (log‐rank Chi‐squared = 6.83, p =.009), and the risk‐ratio for recurrence during follow‐up for those was 3.6 (95% CI = 1.29–9.94). In a Cox multivariate model hCGβ ( p = 0.039) and stage ( p = 0.044) were independent prognostic factors. SCCAg showed no correlation with recurrence‐free survival. We conclude that determination of hCGβ in serum is a potential marker in the prognostic evaluation of patients with SCC of the oral cavity and oropharynx. Int. J. Cancer (Pred. Oncol.) 84:525–528, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.