Relationship between pre-treatment serum SCC (squamous cell carcinoma) antigen, Cyfra 21-1 levels, and survival in squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix.

PURPOSE

To determine the relationship between pretreatment serum squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) antigen and Cyfra 21-1 levels, and survival in patients with invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred and one cervical squamous cell carcinoma patients were included. Pre-treatment levels of serum SCC antigen and Cyfra 21-1 were measured, with a 5 year minimum follow up. Thirty two recurrent disease (RD) patients were compared to 99 non-recurrent disease (NRD) patients with respect to tumor markers, FIGO stage, lesion size, lymph node status, and parametrial involvement.

RESULTS

Pre-treatment serum SCC antigen and Cyfra 21-1 levels were significantly higher in the RD group (p<0.001). Combined serum SCC antigen and Cyfra 21-1 levels showed higher sensitivity for prediction of recurrence (90.6%). Pre-treatment SCC antigen and Cyfra 21-1 levels showed correlation with high FIGO stage, large lesion size, lymph node status, and parametrial involvement (p<0.001). Normal pre-treatment levels of SCC antigen and Cyfra 21-1 showed a 5-year survival rate of 93% and 90% respectively, while elevated levels showed significantly decreased survival rate of 63% and 59%, respectively (p<0.001). Odd ratio for cumulative survival rates were 6.87 for SCC antigen, and 5.07 for Cyfra 21-1 (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Initial pre-treatment levels of serum SCC antigen and Cyfra 21-1 are closely related to FIGO stage, lesion size, lymph node and parametrial involvement in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. Also, these markers may be of help to predicting recurrent disease and survival rates.