Dm. Ohanlon et al., AN EVALUATION OF PREOPERATIVE CA-5-3 MEASUREMENT IN PRIMARY BREAST-CARCINOMA, British Journal of Cancer, 71(6), 1995, pp. 1288-1291
In this study of 500 patients with breast carcinoma, we have prospecti
vely assessed the role of preoperative CA 15-3 as a marker of disease
burden over a 7 year period. CA 15-3 levels at presentation correlate
with stage of disease, tumour size, lymph node status, the presence of
metastases and lymphocyte infiltration into the tumour. CA 15-3 alone
is not an independent prognostic indicator, although a serum level of
> 40 U ml(-1) has a positive predictive value of 83% for the presence
of advanced disease. We recommend the routine use of this marker in t
he preoperative assessment of primary breast carcinoma.