Prognostic significance of the tumor antigen TA-4 in squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix.

Prognostic values of a tumor antigen (TA-4) of squamous cell carcinoma were studied in 135 patients with invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. In order to evaluate the host defense responses against cancer, the percentage of lymphocytes (percentages of lymphocytes in total leukocyte counts in the peripheral blood) was also determined simultaneously in each case. All patients were followed up for 2 years. Sixty patients with Stage II disease underwent a radical operative procedure, and all other cases (75 cases) were treated primarily with radiation therapy. In both groups of patients, the survival rate or disease-free rate was significantly worse in those with TA-4 levels of greater than or equal to 15 microunits/ml compared to that of those with lower levels. The prognosis was particularly poor in those patients who had TA-4 levels of greater than or equal to 15 microunits/ml and lymphocyte percentages of less than 30. It was concluded that the simultaneous determinations of serum TA-4 and lymphocyte percentages would be useful in predicting the prognosis of cervical squamous cell carcinoma.