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Role of Carcinoembryonic Antigen Assay in the Management of Cancer

1985; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1007/978-1-4612-5068-5_5

0178-2134

Paul H. Sugarbaker,

Lung Cancer Research Studies

A large number of "biologic markers" have been described for cancer, and these markers are the focus of much ongoing research. These markers may be classified as tumor-associated oncofetal antigens, ectopic hormones, enzymes, and products of tumor or host metabolism. Unfortunately, tumor specificity for nearly all of the tumor markers described to date is quite poor, for the metabolic and immunologic properties of tumor cells closely resemble those of normal cells. There are a large number of individuals in the general population with abnormal tests for a tumor marker caused by nonmalignant conditions. Also, the sensitivity of these tests to detect the presence of malignancy is often low. The small volume of tumor present at the time an early diagnosis is made and an inconsistent production of markers by the same tumor type in different individuals results in a large proportion of false negative tests. Frequent false positive and false negative tests result in a limited use of tumor markers as a screening test for malignancy. However, use of tumor markers in a population of patients known to have cancer has impacted favorably on the management of patients with several types of tumors. Tumor markers have been used as definitive tests through which a clinician can monitor the response of a tumor to therapy and to determining disease recurrence.