Purpose: This study examines the value of squamous cell cancer (SCC) antigen in patients irradiated for locally advanced cancer of the head and neck.
Materials and methods: In 20 patients (group A) treated with radiochemotherapy and in 20 patients (group B) receiving postoperative irradiation serum SCC values were investigated.
Results: The pretreatment SCC level was 1.6 ng/ml in group A and 1.3 ng/ml in group B. In group A 15% had elevated serum SCC levels above the cut-off level. In group B there were 10%. During follow-up (median 20 months), 10 patients in group A and 8 in group B suffered from a recurrent or progressing disease. Of these 20% in group A and 12.5% in group B had elevated SCC levels.
Conclusion: Our results suggest that, in the described patient groups, SCC is probably of low value for tumor diagnosis and follow-up.