Soluble tumor markers in the diagnosis and treatment of small cell lung cancer
Journal Title: Αρχεία Ελληνικής Ιατρικής - Year 2014, Vol 31, Issue 2
Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) accounts for approximately 13% of all newly diagnosed cases of lung cancer. It is characterized by rapid growth, early distant metastases and good response to chemotherapy. This is a topical review of the literature on the role of soluble tumor markers in the diagnosis and treatment of SCLC. PubMed was searched for relevant papers, using the key words "soluble tumor markers in SCLC". Most of the references found concerned pro-gastrin releasing peptide (pro-GRP) and neuron specific enolase (NSE) which are the markers most specific for the diagnosis of SCLC. The sensitivity and specificity of pro-GRP for the diagnosis of SCLC are 72% and 93%, respectively, slightly higher than those of NSE. Pro-GRP distinguishes with a higher accuracy between complete and partial response to treatment and diagnoses earlier relapse of the disease. On the other hand, NSE is a better predictor of survival, a role that is also provided by other tumor markers that are less specific to SCLC, such as carcinoembryonic antigen and chromogranin A. A few studies have demonstrated that measurement of tumor markers in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and pleural fluid, in combination with traditional diagnostic methods such as bronchoscopy, may be useful for the diagnosis of SCLC. In conclusion, although soluble tumor markers appear to play an important role in the management of patients with SCLC after administration of chemotherapy, the sole use of tumor markers cannot establish the diagnosis with a high degree of confidence.
Authors and Affiliations
S. KARACHALIOS, I. PANTAZOPOULOS, C. KAMPOLIS, A. LOUKERI
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP152169
- DOI -
- Views 65
- Downloads 0
Comparative assessment of self-reported satisfaction in attaining basic skills <br /> in preventive medicine among medical students
OBJECTIVE To assess self-reported satisfaction in attaining skills of basic preventive medicine and completion of death certificates among undergraduate students in two of the seven medical schools in Greece, in order to...
The influence of probiotics on bacterial translocation
OBJECTIVE Probiotics are non-pathogenic microorganisms which, upon ingestion, exert a beneficial effect by maintaining the intestinal microfloral balance and the integrity of the host. They modify the microflora ecology...
When and what is the ideal first-line therapy for low-grade B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas?
Low-grade B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (B-NHL) are malignant diseases of the lymphatic tissue, the diagnosis and treatment of which may involve not only the lymphoma specialist but also physicians of many other specialti...
Allocation of point of care testing analyzers to rural primary hospitals. A report on allocation planning
OBJECTIVE Laboratory investigation plays important roles in the management of diabetes mellitus (DM). The use of point of care testing analyzers (POCTs) can provide a solution for the rural local primary care hospital th...
Πρωτοπαθές αγγειοσάρκωμα πνεύμονα-υπεζωκότα<br />