The Prognostic Significance of Serum Tumor Marker in Breast Cancer

CA15-3, tissue-polypeptide antigen (TPA) and tissue-polypeptide specific antigen (TPS) are the widely studied serum tumor markers of breast cancer. A retrospective study was carried out from October, 1995 to August, 1997. The serum levels of CA15-3, TPA and TPS were measured in 58 breast cancer patients. Several prognostic factors were studied. Statistical analysis was used to correlate tumor markers and prognostic parameters. As a result, CA15-3, TPA, TPS were significantly associated with bone metastasis, recurrence, tumor size and staging. TPA also had significant correlation with lead time of metastasis, and TPS was significantly associated with nodal involvement. Survival had significant correlation with the level of CA15-3, bone metastasis, lead time of metastasis, nodal involvement by univariate analysis and with TPA, and bone metastasis by multivariate analysis. Our study demonstrates that CA15-3, TPA, and TPS are useful parameters in the follow-up of breast cancer after anticancer treatment.