[Diagnosis: tumor marker]

Abstract

We have reviewed the clinical usefulness of tumor markers in gynecologic malignancy. In cervical squamous cell carcinoma. SCC and CEA showed increase in frequency of elevated cases according to the clinical stages (FIGO), and the frequency was significantly higher in recurrent cases than in patients with no evidence of disease. In endometrial carcinoma, presently, no specific tumor marker has been found. The diagnostic efficiency of CA 125, CA 19-9 and TPA were 25.2, 23.8 and 32.6, respectively. Further investigation must be necessary to establish markers sensitive enough. In primary ovarian malignancy, combination assay might be much more useful than single assay. The most effective combinations were TPA/CA 125/Ferritin in serous cystadenocarcinoma, and CEA/CA 19-9/TPA in mucinous cystadenocarcinoma. In the monitoring of the disease, it seems to be essential to select suitable combination of markers in each case. In addition, recently, multivariate analysis systems, such as CAMPAS (computer-aided multivariate and pattern analysis system), have become available.