[Level of carcinoembryonic antigen, neuron-specific enolase and ferritin in serum of small cell lung cancer patients: correlation with performance status, disease extent and prognosis].

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and ferritin serum levels were assessed before treatment in 109 small cell lung cancer patients. CEA and ferritin serum levels were estimated by immunoenzymatic method: Abbott kits were used. NSE serum level was assessed by radioimmunoassay Pharmacia kits. In 38 patients the disease was localized, in 27 metastases were found in one organ and in 48-in two or more organs. CEA levels above 5 ng/ml were found in 41%, NSE above 12.5 micrograms/l in 86% and ferritin above 250 ng/ml in 41% of patients. The levels of CEA and NSE, but not of ferritin were correlated with the disease extent. The levels of CEA and ferritin, but not of NSE were correlated with performance status of the patients. In the patients with NSE serum levels above 50 micrograms/l and ferritin serum levels above 600 ng/ml the prognosis was significantly worse than in remaining patients.