Application of tumor markers in nipple discharge in early diagnosis of breast carcinoma

Objective To study the clinical value of nipple discharge detection in the early diagnosis of breast cancer,CA153 ,CEA levels were measured both in nipple discharge and serum. Methods 153 consecutive patients with nipple discharge in Rizhao hospital were studied,among them there were 91 cases with breast cancer and 62 cases with benign disease. The nipple discharged and serum from the 153 cases with nipple discharged were collected and CA153, CEA levels were measured with electrochemiluminescence method. Results The CA153, CEA levels of nipple discharge in breast cancer were significantly higher than the control group(CA153:t =28.949,33.844;CEA:t = 19.773,16.623, all P ＜ 0.01). The positive rate of CA153, CEA in nipple discharge were significantly higher than in the serum (P ＜ 0.05). Conclusion The positive rate of CA153, CEA in nipple discharge were significantly higher than in the serum. The detection of CA153 ,CEA had important value in the early diagnosis of breast cancer. Key words: Breast neoplasms; Fluids and secretions; CA153 antigen; Carcinoembryonic antigen