Serum adenosine deaminase, 5'-nucleotidase & alkaline phosphatase in breast cancer patients.

Serum levels of adenosine deaminase (ADA), 5-nucleotidase (5'-NT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were studied in 25 patients of carcinoma breast and 25 normal subjects. Adenosine deaminase was found to be the better probable parameter for the detection of cancer and to assess the development of various stages of cancer whereas 5'-nucleotidase had only diagnostic significance. Serum alkaline phosphatase levels were important for assessing the spread of cancer at secondary sites. After mastectomy a significant decrease was found in the levels of serum ADA and 5'-NT whereas no variations were found in case of serum ALP.