[Preoperative serum CA15.3 and CEA levels and clinical-biological parameters in breast tumors]. / Concentraciones séricas preoperatorias de antígeno carbohidrato 15.3 y antígeno carcinoembrionario y características clínico-biológicas tisulares de los carcinomas mamarios.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To study the possible associations between preoperative serum CEA and CA15.3 levels and different clinical-biological parameters of infiltrating ductal carcinomas of the breast (IDC). PATIENTS AND METHOD: Preoperative serum CA15.3 and CEA levels were determined in 255 and 224 females, respectively, having IDC. We assayed the cytosolic levels of estrogen receptor, pS2, cathepsin D and hyaluronic acid, as well as the levels of epidermal growth factor receptor in cell surfaces. Tumor size, axillary involvement (N), distant metastasis (M), histological grade (HG) and cellular S-phase (SP) were taken into account. RESULTS: 22 IDC were positive for CA15.3 (> 40 U/ml) and they had greater global tumor size (p < 0.001), > 2 cm (p 0.005) and distant metastasis (p < 0.001). 19 IDC were positive for CEA (> 4 ng/ml) and they had greater global tumor size (p < 0.001), > 2 cm (p < 0.001), > 5 cm (p 0.052) and global S-phase values (p 0.062), and were more frequently N + (p 0.045), > 3N + (p 0.001) and > 10N + (p < 0.001), M + (p 0.004), HG3 (p 0.091) and SP > 7 % (p 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Our results led us to the following In patients having IDC of the breast, preoperative serum CA15.3 levels are associated with greater tumor size and distant metastasis, while pre-treatment CEA serum levels are associated moreover with axillary involvement; we have not observed any correlation between serum levels of both antigens and the hormonal status of the tumor; these results had physiopathological interest but reduced clinical value in pretreatment breast carcinomas due to their low sensitivity of both markers. However, they are useful in the follow-up of the patients when assessing serum concentrations of both markers, since they contribute to knowing the patients' clinical status better.