Comparison of serum CA 72-4 and CA 19-9 levels in gastric cancer patients and correlation with recurrence

Background This longitudinal prospective study evaluates the serum levels of the tumor markers CA 72-4 and CA 19-9, alone or in combination, in gastric cancer patients. Patients and methods Serum tumor markers CA 72-4 and CA 19-9 were measured in 52 patients who had gastric adenocarcinomas and 32 with benign gastric disorders. Serial measurements of these markers were carried out in 30 cancer patients at a median follow-up time of 38 months. Results CA 72-4 and CA 19-9 had sensitivities of 42% and 46% for the preoperative detection of gastric cancer. Sensitivity for the two combined was 63%. CA 72-4 provided 100% specificity, compared to 72% for CA 19-9. Postoperatively, 17 cancer patients remained disease-free. Sixteen of these maintained normal levels of CA 72-4, and 10 of CA 19-9. Thirteen patients developed recurrent disease. In 9, serum CA 72-4 levels rose from nearnormal after surgery and reached diagnostic values approximately 6 months before clinical diagnosis of recurrence. Only 3 patients exhibited such a pattern with CA 19-9. Conclusions CA 72-4 is a reliable marker in gastric cancer. Postoperative serial sampling of CA 72-4 may facilitate early identification of recurrences.