Tissue Polypeptide Specific Antigen and Squamous Cell Carcinoma Antigen for Early Prediction of Recurrence in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma

One of the major problems in the follow-up of patients with lung cancer is the early detection of recurrent disease. Tumor markers have been found helpful in detecting early recurrent disease. The aims of this study were to evaluate and compare the clinical usefulness of serial and simultaneous measurement of tissue polypeptide antigen (TPS) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) antigen for the early prediction of recurrence in patients with SCC of the lung. Sixty patients with SCC of the lung, including 25 patients with recurrence and 35 patients without recurrence after 1 year's follow-up after surgery, were enrolled in this study. The serial serum levels of TPS and SCC antigen were measured before surgery and 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months after the operation for early detection of recurrence. The results revealed that (1) the mean serum values of TPS were significantly greater at all times after surgery in the 25 patients with recurrent SCC compared with the 35 patients without recurrent SCC, and (2) the mean serum values of SCC antigen were significantly greater only at 9 and 12 months after surgery in the 25 patients with recurrent SCC compared with the 35 patients without recurrent SCC. We conclude that TPS is a better marker than SCC antigen for early prediction of SCC recurrence in the lung. Accepted for publication 27 December 1999