Tissue polypeptide-specific antigen and carcinoembryonic antigen for earlyprediction of recurrence in lung adenocarcinoma

Fifty patients with lung adenocarcinoma, including 20 cases with recurrence and 30 cases without recurrence 1 year after operation, were enrolled in t his study. The serial serum levels of tissue polypeptide-specific antigen ( TPS) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were measured before operation and at 1 week, and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after operation for early detec tion of recurrence. The results revealed that: 1) mean serum values of TPS were significantly higher at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after operation in 2 0 patients with recurrent adenocarcinoma, when compared with 30 patients wi thout recurrent adenocarcinoma; 2) mean serum values of CEA were significan tly higher at 9 months and 12 months after operation in 20 patients with re current adenocarcinoma, when compared with 30 patients without recurrent ad enocarcinoma. We conclude that TPS is a better marker than CEA for early pr ediction of adenocarcinoma recurrence in lung within 1 year after operation . However, a longer follow-up study should be encouraged.