CUSUM analysis of the SCC antigen in patients with head and neck cancer.

PURPOSE

Serial postoperative serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCAg) levels in a group of head and neck cancer patients were evaluated using a cumulative sum (CUSUM) technique to determine the prognostic value of serial SCCAg levels in predicting tumor recurrence.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis of serial postoperative SCCAg measurements in 75 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) from two previous studies of SCCAg was performed. Serum SCCAg levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. A V-mask was used to detect significant deviations of greater than 1 SD of the CUSUM from the reference value.

SETTING

Oncologic head and neck practice at a tertiary referral hospital.

PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS

Seventy-five consecutive patients with a minimum of three postoperative SCCAg determinations were reviewed to provide equal numbers with and without recurrent disease. All patients who remained disease-free were followed for a minimum of 2 years. All patients were previously untreated and underwent surgical therapy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

CUSUM curve of postoperative SCCAg levels and 2-year disease-free survival.

RESULTS

In a group of 38 patients with 2-year disease-free survival, the CUSUM analysis did not detect any significant deviation in postoperative SCCAg levels for up to 23 months after surgery. In a group of 37 patients who subsequently died of disease, a deviation of greater than 1 SD was noted as early as 5 months postoperatively and persisted throughout the course of their monitoring for up to 36 months.

CONCLUSIONS

The CUSUM technique is more sensitive for detecting postoperative changes in serial measurements of the SCCAg and may be applicable to the monitoring of individual patients for recurrent disease.