Objective: To investigate the diagnostic values of CA242, TPA, NSE and CEA tumor markers for lung cancer.
Methods: Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The serum levels of four markers in lung cancer, TB patients and normal subjects (NOR) were measured.
Results: Serum concentrations of CA242, TPA, NSE and CEA were significantly higher in patients with lung cancer than patients with TB and NOR (P < 0.01). The sensitivities of CA242 were 65% for adenocarcinoma (AC), 41% for squamous cancer (Sq) and 32% for SCLC, respectively; the specificity was 93%. The sensitivities of NSE were 33%(AC), 41%(Sq) and 71%(SCLC), respectively; the specificity was 97%. The sensitivities of TPA were 65%(AC), 69%(Sq) and 61%(SCLC), respectively; the specificity was 93%. The sensitivities of CEA were 72%(AC), 54%(Sq) and 55%(SCLC), respectively; the specificity was 93%. Using two tumor markers the positive rates were 79% (AC), 54%(Sq) and 63%(SCLC), respectively; the false positive rates in TB and NOR were 7% and 0%, respectively.
Conclusions: Assessing several markers can help differentiating various histological type of lung cancer and can increase significantly the sensitivity and specificity. It is clinically more useful than single marker evaluation. CA242 can be used in diagnosis of lung cancer.