Open AccessThe Value of Serial Plasma Levels of Carcinoembryonic Antigen and Gross Cyst Disease Fluid Protein in Patients with Breast Carcinoma and Osseous Metastases
Author(s) -
Darrow E. Haagensen,
William F. Barry,
Thomas A. McCook,
Jan Giannola,
Sherre Ammirata,
Samuel A. Wells
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
annals of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.153
H-Index - 309
eISSN - 1528-1140
pISSN - 0003-4932
DOI - 10.1097/00000658-198005000-00012
Subject(s) - medicine , carcinoembryonic antigen , breast carcinoma , pathology , carcinoma , breast cancer , cyst , oncology , cancer
Serial plasma levels of the glucoprotein tumor markers carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and gross cyst disease fluid protein (GCDFP) were evaluated in 83 patients undergoing treatment for predominant osseous metastases from breast carcinoma. Abnormal plasma levels of CEA (greater than 10 ng/ml) and/or GCDFP (greater than 150 ng/ml) were observed in 53 (63.8%) subjects. Fifty-six courses of hormonal and chemical therapy were evaluated. Clinical response to therapy correlated positively with alterations in serial plasma levels of CEA and/or GCDFP. Increasing plasma levels of tumor markers were associated with clinical disease progression whereas decreasing plasma levels were associated with and generally preceded clinical disease remission. Of patients with metastatic carcinoma of the breast, responses to therapy are most difficult to evaluate in those with bone metastases. Serial determinations of plasma levels of CEA and/or GCDFP provide an objective indication of disease progression and regression and appear to be useful with skeletal x-rays and bone scans in evaluating patients with carcinoma of the breast.