SERUM TUMOR-MARKERS IN CHRONIC LIVER-DISEASE

Tumor markers have been used for the evaluation of various malignancie s though the existence of false positive results in some benign diseas es is known. In this study, several established markers including carc inoembryonic antigen, alpha fetoprotein, beta human chorionic gonadotr opin, ferritin, CA 19-9 and CA 125 were measured in 60 patients with c hronic active hepatitis, 70 patients with cirrhosis and 40 normal subj ects in order to evaluate the rate of false elevation of tumor markers in chronic liver disease. Prostate specific antigen and prostatic aci d phosphatase levels were also measured in male patients and controls. Serum alpha fetoprotein levels were found elevated in 20% of patients with cirrhosis. The serum CA 19-9 level showed significant elevation in chronic active hepatitis (32%) and cirrhosis (44%). Increase in CA 125 concentration was also remarkable in chronic active hepatitis (23% ) and especially in cirrhosis (74%). These results indicate that it is necessary to consider the presence of high false positivity rate of C A 19-9 and CA 125 during clinical interpretation of tumor markers in p atients with chronic liver disease.