Diagnostic value of CA 72‐4, carcinoembryonic antigen, CA 15‐3, and CA 19‐9 assay in pleural fluid: A study of 207 patients

摘要: BACKGROUND The differential diagnosis of pleural effusion is a frequent clinical problem. Several tumor markers have been evaluated in fluid, but the value CA 72-4 assay and combinations marker assays has not firmly established. To find minimally invasive tool for differentiating between effusions malignant or benign origin, authors assessed diagnostic 72-4, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), 15-3, 19-9 fluid individually combination. METHODS The prospectively studied 207 patients with (65 malignant, 48 tuberculous, 24 parapneumonic, 26 transudates, 14 miscellaneous, 30 unknown nonneoplastic origin). The levels CEA, were measured by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS CA had an acceptable sensitivity very good specificity diagnosing effusion. combination plus CEA 15-3 yielded best accuracy, 0.90 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.85-0.94), 0.78 CI, 0.67-0.88), 0.95 0.90-0.98), positive predictive 0.88 0.77-0.95), negative 0.91 (range, 0.85-0.94). A strategy may be to begin (specificity 1) then, if it negative, add even improve sensitivity. mesothelioma more likely high level normal levels. CONCLUSIONS Assays was useful origin. Cancer 1996;78:736-40.