TAG-72, CA-19.9 AND CEA AS TUMOR-MARKERS IN GASTRIC-CANCER

Serum levels of CEA, CA 19.9 and TAG-72 were measured in 79 patients w ith active gastric cancer, 47 with treated gastric cancer and no clini cal evidence of the disease and 33 with benign gastric disease. In the patients with active gastric cancer TAG-72 was increased in 47%, CA 1 9.9 in 46% and CEA in 33%. The sensitivity of these markers was relate d to the stage of the disease, although upon comparison of stages I-II and III-IV significant difference was observed only for TAG-72. The c ombined use of two of the markers increased the sensitivity compared w ith the use of only one. The results suggest that the combination of T AG-72 and CA 19.9 may be useful in the post surgical management of pat ients with gastric cancer.