The value of combined detection of four tumor markers in pleural effusion in diagnosis for malignant pleural effusion

Objective To study the role of co-detections of four tumor markers CA125,CA199,CEA and TSGF in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant pleural effusion.Methods The levels of CA125, CA199, CEA and TSGF in pleural effusion were detected by ELISA and colorimetry,the sensitivity and the specifity of the the single tumor marker and tumor markers combined assay were counted. Tle diagnostic value of combined assay of these four tumor markers was evaluated. Results Pleural fluid levels of CA125 ,CA199 ,CEA and TSGF in patients with malignant effusion were significantly higher than those patients in benign pleural effusions(P<0.01). Four tumor markers in pleural effusion increased the diagnostic sensitivity to 95.8% ,contrast with the sensitivity of the single tumor marker(P<0.01). While the specifity of those was 82.3%, not declining significantly (P＞0.05), compared with the specifity of the single tumor marker. Conclusions The combined assay of four tumor markers CA125, CA199, CEA and TSGF in pleural effusion increased the diagnostic sensitivity, while the specifity of those have no decrease significantly. The co-detections of four tumor markers in pleural effusion show great values in diagnosis and differential diagnosis for malignant and benign pleural effusion. Key words: Pleural effusion ;  Carcino embryonic antigen ;  Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 ;  Carbohydrate antigen125 ;  Tumor specific growth factor ;