The diagnostic value of blood level of CEA and CA15-3 tumor markers in breast tumor with axillary lymph node metastases

Background and Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor and the leading cause of carcinoma death in women, with more than 1.000.000 cases occuring world wide annually. Recently, particular attention has been paid to sensitive/rapid and cheap laboratory methods for diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer. Evaluation of serum tumor markers including CEA and CA15-3 is one of these methods. The study was performed on 150 patients with breast cancer in Imam Khomeini and Shafa hospitals-Sari, Iran(2004-2005). Before modified radical mastectomy procedure, blood level of CEA and CA15-3 was measured with an ELISA method using CANAg kit, then mastectomy and axillary lymph node specimens were evaluated. The information was analyzed using SPSS 11 statistical software. In our study, the patients were between 32-75 yrs (mean: 51.6 yrs). The patients were divided into two groups: I (89 cases): Breast cancer with axillary lymph node metastases. II (61cases): Breast cancer without axillary lymph node metastases. Statistical differences was observed between the amount of CEA and CA15-3 in the two groups (P<5%). CA15-3 and CEA showed the best efficiency in the level of 35 u/ml and 2.5u/ml, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of CA15-3 are 78% and 88%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of CEA are 48% and 83%, respectively. CA15-3 tumor marker is useful for diagnosis of metastatic cases but CEA tumor marker does not have optimal sensitivity.