Sensitivity of serum tumor markers CEA and CA 15-3 in breast cancer recurrences and correlation with different prognostic factors

The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between serum tumor m arkers CEA and CA 15-3 in breast cancer (BC) patients with disease relapse and different prognostic parameters at first operation. Sixty-two women (me dian age 55 years, range 35-83 years) who had undergone curative surgery fo r pT1-2 pN0-1 M0 breast cancer developed local recurrences, distant metasta ses or contralateral BC during a median relapse time of 53 months (range 25 -149 months). Sensitivity of CEA, CA 15-3, and CEA + CA 15-3 together was 4 0.3%, 41.9% and 59.7%, respectively. No correlation (p = NS) was found betw een tumor markers sensitivity and type of recurrence, surgical procedure, h istologic subtypes and hormone receptors rate. CEA significantly (p<0.01) c orrelated with the size of the tumor and axillary node status and CA 15-3 w ith the age of the patients. In conclusion, CEA and CA 15-3 should be consi dered complementary in detecting BC recurrences but their sensitivity is lo w and independent of the majority of the prognostic parameters that may be considered before relapse.