Abstract
The tumor markers such as Neuron Specific Enolase (NSE), carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA), cytokeratin fragment 21-1 (CYFRA 21-1), cancer antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3) and Tissue Polypeptide Specific antigen (TPS) are considered diagnostically useful in the assessment of lung cancer with different sensitivities and specificities in variable settings. In this regard, the present study describes the results of determination of the tumor markers NSE, CA 15-3 and CEA in blood and pleural fluid of patients with pleural effusions, and to evaluate their usefulness as a non-invasive method for differentiating between benign and malignant conditions. Sixty nine (n = 69) patients during the period, February 2006 to March 2009, were included in the study. Thirty eight (n = 38) out of 69 patients were grouped as malignant cases, sub-classified as NSCLC, SCLC, Breast cancer etc, where as n = 31 were found to have benign lung disease (tuberculosis). All 31 patients with tuberculosis pleurisy were classified as patients with benign condition and used as comparative group. Blood and pleural fluid samples were analyzed for NSE, CA 15-3, and CEA using electrochemiluminescence (ECL) technology on automated immunoassay analyzer according to manufacturer’s advice. Comparative study was performed individually for each malignant condition such as SCLC, NSCLC, breast carcinoma, and others (such as lymphoma and mesothelioma). In pleural fluid, NSE levels were noted to be significantly raised (P< 0.001) when compared with CEA and moderately raised (P< 0.01) when compared with CA 15-3 in SCLC group of patients. However, in NSCLC group, elevation pattern of NSE was moderately significant (P< 0.01) when compared with CEA and non-significant when compared with CA 15-3. Furthermore, levels of NSE observed to be low or in same range when compared with CA 15-3 and CEA in breast cancer and other malignant conditions. CA 15-3 was found to be significantly elevated in NSCLC with moderate capacity (P < 0.0001) and with mild capacity in other malignant conditions (P
