Clinical value of a new tumor marker (M.C.A.) in the breast cancer follow-up

Boll Ist Sieroter Milan. 1990;69(1):315-8.

Abstract

The authors evaluated the levels of a mucinous-like carcinoma antigen (M.C.A.) in the serum of 105 follow-up patients with breast carcinoma by means of an enzyme immunoassay. The negative/positive cut-off level determined in a group of healthy women was 13.2 U/ml. 80 patients turned out to be free disease, while 25 patients showed relapse or metastasis. High levels of MCA were observed in 72.0% of the patients with renewal of the neoplastic disease as well as in 12.5% of the free disease subjects. The EIA method appeared to have a good specificity (87.5%) and a fair test efficiency (83.8%). On the contrary, its sensitivity (72.0%) and its predictive value (64.3%) were not completely satisfactory. Therefore we think the matter needs to be studied more deeply and so does the case-report.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / blood*
  • Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / blood*
  • Breast Neoplasms / blood*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Mastectomy
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / diagnosis
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / diagnosis
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • mucinous carcinoma-associated antigen