Correlation between c-erbB2 expression, lymphovascular invasion and other biological and clinical prognostic factors and preoperative tumor markers in patients with early-stage and locally advanced breast cancer

Aksu G., Duman C., Gurbuz Y., Ercin C., Cantürk N. Z., Utkan Z., ...More

JOURNAL OF BUON, no.1, pp.52-57, 2011 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Publication Date: 2011
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF BUON
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.52-57
  • Kocaeli University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the correlation between c-erbB2 expression, lymphovascular invasion and other biological and clinical prognostic variables and preoperative CA 15-3 and CEA levels in patients with early-stage and locally advanced breast cancer Methods: Preoperative serum concentrations of CA 15-3 and CEA were measured in 123 patients undergoing surgical treatment for stage breast cancer and the association between these markers and clinical and biological variables were evaluated. Results: With cut-off values of 45 U/ml (CA 15-3) and 2.5 ng/ml (CEA), the sensitivity for CA 15-3 and CEA was 10% and 24% and their mean values were 23 U/ml and 2.32 ng/ml, respectively. A significant correlation between preoperative levels of CA 15-3 and CEA was noticed (p=0.023). Preoperative CA 15-3 levels were significantly higher in patients with tumors > 5 cm (p<0.0001), with positive axillary lymph nodes (p=0.04), with increasing nodal burden (p= 0.025) and in patients with stage III disease (p=0.003). Tumor size > 5 cm (p=0.002), increasing axillary nodal burden (p=0.02) and stage Ill disease (p<0.0001) were also significantly correlated with CEA values above the cut-off level. There were no correlations between CA 15-3 and CEA levels and other variables including c-erbB2 expression, age, grade, hormone receptor status, and lymphovascular invasion. Conclusion: Preoperative CA 15-3 and CEA levels are significantly correlated with tumor size, axillaty nodal status and stage in patients with non-metastatic breast carcinoma. No correlation between preoperative values of CA 15-3/CEA and c-erbB2 status, lymphovascular invasion and other prognostic factors was detected.