The prognostic significance of serum tumor marker in breast cancer

CA15-3, tissue-polypeptide antigen (TPA) and tissue-polypeptide specific an tigen (TPS) are the widely studied serum tumor markers of breast cancer. A retrospective study was carried out from October, 1995 to August, 1997. The serum levels of CA15-3, TPA and TPS were measured in 58 breast cancer pati ents. Several prognostic factors were studied. Statistical analysis was use d to correlate tumor markers and prognostic parameters. As a result, CA15-3 , TPA, TPS were significantly associated with bone metastasis, recurrence, tumor size and staging. TPA also had significant correlation with lead time of metastasis, and TPS was significantly associated with nodal involvement . Survival had significant correlation with the level of CA15-3, bone metas tasis, lead time of metastasis, nodal involvement by univariate analysis an d with TPA, and bone metastasis by multivariate analysis. Our study demonst rates that CA15-3, TPA, and TPS are useful parameters in the follow-up of b reast cancer after anticancer treatment.