[Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC) as serum markers in the diagnosis of bronchial carcinoma].

In 54 patients with untreated, histologically proven lung cancers (18 squamous cell, 15 small cell, 12 large cell carcinomas and 9 adenocarcinomas), the serum antigens NSE and SCC were measured. 43 (71) patients with benign lung diseases served as controls for serum levels of SCC (NSE). With a cut-off level of 2.5 (15.0) ng/ml elevated serum values were observed in 4.6% (4.2%) of the control collectives. We determined the sensitivity of both antigens in the diagnosis of the different histological cancer types. The highest sensitivity of 80% was observed for NSE in patients with small cell cancer, whereas non-small cell cancers were associated with only 11-27% elevated serum concentrations. The sensitivity for SCC was highest in patients with adenocarcinoma (44%) and attained only 33% in squamous cell cancer patients. We could not confirm a selectivity of serum-SCC for squamous cell differentiation in lung cancers. Combined serum determination of SCC and NSE increased the sensitivity in the diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer but not of small cell cancer compared to the NSE determination alone. The data suggest a correlation of serum SCC levels to the tumour stage in squamous cell carcinoma patients.