Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences1028-88801812-5735Asian Network for Scientific Information10.3923/pjbs.2008.1945.1948FrempongM.T. Agyei DarkoE. AddaiBeatrice Wiafe 1220081115This study was carried out to determine the sensitivity
and specificity of serum CA 15-3 as a marker in detecting and monitoring
treatment in, breast cancer patients. One hundred and ten patients comprising
35 known breast cancer patients, 75 suspected cases and 20 controls entered
the study. Blood samples were taken before and after treatment from the
35 known cases as well as the 75 suspected cases from which biopsy specimens
were also taken. Serum CA 15-3 was measured by BioCheck CA 15-3 Enzyme
Immunoassay. There was a significant difference between the concentration
of serum CA 15-3 of the 35 known breast cancer patients before and after
treatment (p<0.05). Out of the 75 suspected cases, 46 had breast cancer
and 29 had benign breast disease (histologically proven). There was a
strong positive correlation between the level of serum CA 15-3 and the
histopathology results of the biopsies (r = 0.518). The mean serum CA
15-3 concentration of the 46 patients (80.6+70.2 U mL-1) was
significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of the 29 patients with benign
breast disease (12.0+9.0). The sensitivity and specificity of the serum
CA 15-3 in detecting breast cancer was 76.1 and 100%, respectively at
a cut-off of 35 U mL-1. Serum CA 15-3 was found to have a value
in the early detection and monitoring of treatment of breast cancer in
Ghana.]]>Cheli, C.D., D.L. Morris, J. Goldblatt, I. Neaman and W.J. Allard,199844765772Duffy, M.J.,199936579586Elzagheid, A., T. Kuopio, S. Pyrhonen and Y. Collan,200614141Keyhani, M., S. Nasizadeh and A. Dehghannejad,20058263266Lee, A., K. Yonggoo, H. Kyungja, S.K. Chang, M.J. Hae and I.S. Sang,20042 in fine needle aspiration fluid of breast.]]>12812511256Lumachi, F., A.A. Brandes, M. Ermani, G. Bruno and P. Boccagni,20002047514755Mohammadnejad, J., M.J. Rasaee, B. Saqhafi, M. Rajabibazl, F. Rahbarizadeh, K. Omidfar and M. Paknejad,200627139149Tondini, C., D.F. Hayes and D.W. Kufe,19893653674Vizcarra, E., A. Lluch, R. Cibrian, F. Jarque, V. Alberola and V. Belloch et al.,199637209216