Abstract
Objectives: In breast cancer patients tumor markers Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) and Cancer Antigen (CA)
15-3 can help monitor the disease, however, these markers lack sensitivity and specificity. It is known that continuous
analysis and other examinations may lead to unwanted anxiety and therefore decrease quality of life for the patient.
Thus, the aim of this study was to clarify what correlation do tumor markers CEA and CA 15-3 have with Fluorine-18
fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) findings in patients
with breast cancer.
Materials and Methods: This retrospective study took place in Riga Stradins University Nuclear Medicine Clinic from
March of 2016 until June of 2019. Adult patients with histologically proven breast cancer who had tested their tumor
marker levels and later underwent a PET/CT examination were included in this study. The patient histories, laboratory
results and PET/CT reports were analysed.
Results: Out of 67 women with the median age of 53 years in PET/CT positive patients CEA median was 1.99 ng/mL
and CA 15-3 median was 23.40 U/mL, but in PET/CT negative patients – 0.70 ng/mL and 15.00 U/mL, respectively
(CEA p=0.011, CA 15-3 p=0.005). Both CEA and CA 15-3 were higher in patients with PET/CT positive bone
metastases (CEA 5.35 ng/mL, CA 15-3 58.00 U/mL) than in patients without bone metastases (CEA 1.07 ng/mL, CA
15-3 16.15 U/mL) (CEA p=0.005, CA 15-3 p=0.001). Both markers were also higher in patients with other extra
nodular metastases (CEA 2.48 ng/mL, CA 15-3 49.30 U/mL) when compared to patients without other extra nodular
metastases (CEA 1.06 ng/mL, CA 15-3 17.29 U/mL) (CEA p=0.017, CA 15-3 p=0.013). Only CA 15-3 was higher in
patients with lymph node involvement (26.10 U/mL) compared to patients with PET/CT negative lymph nodes (15.60
U/mL) (p=0.025). Furthermore, median CA 15-3 levels kept increasing with a higher number of metastases.
Conclusions: Higher CEA and CA 15-3 levels correlate with a positive PET/CT result, PET/CT positive bone and other
extra nodular metastases, but only CA 15-3 level is higher in patients with lymph node metastases and an increasing
number of metastases. Tumor marker levels within reference range do not exclude a positive PET/CT.
15-3 can help monitor the disease, however, these markers lack sensitivity and specificity. It is known that continuous
analysis and other examinations may lead to unwanted anxiety and therefore decrease quality of life for the patient.
Thus, the aim of this study was to clarify what correlation do tumor markers CEA and CA 15-3 have with Fluorine-18
fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) findings in patients
with breast cancer.
Materials and Methods: This retrospective study took place in Riga Stradins University Nuclear Medicine Clinic from
March of 2016 until June of 2019. Adult patients with histologically proven breast cancer who had tested their tumor
marker levels and later underwent a PET/CT examination were included in this study. The patient histories, laboratory
results and PET/CT reports were analysed.
Results: Out of 67 women with the median age of 53 years in PET/CT positive patients CEA median was 1.99 ng/mL
and CA 15-3 median was 23.40 U/mL, but in PET/CT negative patients – 0.70 ng/mL and 15.00 U/mL, respectively
(CEA p=0.011, CA 15-3 p=0.005). Both CEA and CA 15-3 were higher in patients with PET/CT positive bone
metastases (CEA 5.35 ng/mL, CA 15-3 58.00 U/mL) than in patients without bone metastases (CEA 1.07 ng/mL, CA
15-3 16.15 U/mL) (CEA p=0.005, CA 15-3 p=0.001). Both markers were also higher in patients with other extra
nodular metastases (CEA 2.48 ng/mL, CA 15-3 49.30 U/mL) when compared to patients without other extra nodular
metastases (CEA 1.06 ng/mL, CA 15-3 17.29 U/mL) (CEA p=0.017, CA 15-3 p=0.013). Only CA 15-3 was higher in
patients with lymph node involvement (26.10 U/mL) compared to patients with PET/CT negative lymph nodes (15.60
U/mL) (p=0.025). Furthermore, median CA 15-3 levels kept increasing with a higher number of metastases.
Conclusions: Higher CEA and CA 15-3 levels correlate with a positive PET/CT result, PET/CT positive bone and other
extra nodular metastases, but only CA 15-3 level is higher in patients with lymph node metastases and an increasing
number of metastases. Tumor marker levels within reference range do not exclude a positive PET/CT.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Proceedings of the 62nd International Scientific Conference of Daugavpils University |
| Subtitle of host publication | Part A. Natural Sciences |
| Editors | Irēna Kokina |
| Place of Publication | Daugavpils |
| Publisher | Daugavpils University |
| Pages | 89-95 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-9984-14-925-7 |
| Publication status | Published - 2020 |
| Externally published | Yes |
| Event | 62nd International Scientific Conference of Daugavpils University - Daugavpils, Latvia Duration: 28 May 2020 → 29 May 2020 Conference number: 62 |
Conference
| Conference | 62nd International Scientific Conference of Daugavpils University |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Latvia |
| City | Daugavpils |
| Period | 28/05/20 → 29/05/20 |
| Other | Daugavpils Universitātes 62. starptautiskā zinātniskā konference |
Keywords*
- PET/CT
- breast cancer
- , tumor marker
- CEA
- CA15-3
Field of Science*
- 3.2 Clinical medicine
Publication Type*
- 3.2. Articles or chapters in other proceedings other than those included in 3.1., with an ISBN or ISSN code
