PREVALENCE OF ABNORMAL LEVELS OF SERUM TUMOR-MARKERS IN ELDERLY PEOPLE

The study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of abnormal levels of several serum tumour markers in an institutionalized elderly popula tion. Serum tumour markers assay of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), th e carbohydrate antigens CA 19-9, Ca 72-4 and CA 15-3 (Enzymun-test, Bo ehringer Mannheim GmbH Diagnostic), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and prosta te specific antigen (PSA) (Abbot Diagnostic Division) were performed i n 228 unselected, institutionalized elderly subjects, whose mean age ( SD) was 82.4 (5.79) range (66-99 years). Patients with acute or neopla stic diseases were excluded from the study. The serum markers were als o measured in 52 healthy young adults (controls). Using the establishe d threshold values, 92 subjects (40%) were found to have at least one elevated marker. PSA was elevated in 33%, CA 19-9 in 16%, CEA in 11.5% , CA 15-3 in 11%, CA 72-4 in 8% and AFP in 3%. We found a significant difference in the serum levels between the two groups for CEA, CA 19-9 . CA 15-3, and PSA (p < 0.001). Healthy aged people appear to have an elevated prevalence of elevated levels of serum tumour markers. The re sults suggest that apart from PSA, elevated antigen levels in elderly subjects are related to the ageing process itself rather than to occul t pathology.