SERUM LEVELS OF CEA, SCC, TPS AND CYFRA-21-1 IN HEMODIALYSIS-PATIENTS

Distribution of CEA, SCC, TPS and CYFRA 21-1 serum levels and incidenc e of their elevated levels were studied in 50 uremic patients before s tarting dialysis and compared to those in 85 patients with benign lung diseases (BLD) as to 60 patients with benign lung diseases (BLD) as w ell as to 60 patients with non-small lung cancer (NSCLC). CEA and TPS showed significantly higher levels in NSCLC as compared to uremia (CEA , p = 0.03; TPS, p = 0.02). Oppositely, SCC and CYFRA 21-1 levels were higher in uremic patients, although only for SCC the difference betwe en these two groups was significant (p < 0.001). CEA was found to be e levated in 16%, SCC in 52%, TPS in 18% and CYFRA 21-1 in 52% of patien ts with uremia. Between tumor markers themselves a moderate correlatio n was found only between SCC and CYFRA 21-1 (r=0.51, p=0.002). It is c oncluded that SCC and CYFRA 21-1 may have a limited value in uremia du e to the high incidence of false positive results. Elevated tumor mark er serum levels do not indicate malignancy, unless renal failure is ex cluded.