Diagnostic value of combined determination of CA72-4,CA242,CEA in lung cancer pleural effusion

Objective To evaluate the values of combined determination of CA72-4,CA242,CEA in the diagnosis of lung cancer pleural effusion. Methods Thirty-nine lung cancer pleural effusion samples and 35 benign pleural effusion samples were enrolled. The concentration of CA72-4, CA242, CEA in the pleural effusion of the 74 patients was determined with ELISA. The cut-off point for eath tumor marker was selected with receiver operating characteristic curves. The results were analyzed with sensitivity,specificity,positive prognostie value,negative prognostic value and accuracy. Results The values of CA72-4,CA242,CEA in the lung cancer pleural effusion were higher than those in the benign groups(P<0.05). The area under curve for CA72-4, CA242, CEA were 0. 703,0. 727,0. 804 respectivly. The sensitivity and specificity of CA72-4 were 64.1% and 71.4 % in lung cancer pleural effusion,68.4% and 71.4 %. The sensitivity and specificity of CA242 were 59.0% and 80.0% in lung cancer pleural effusion. The sensitivity and specificity of CA72-4+ CEA and CA72-4 + CA242 + CEA were 89.7% and 94.3%. Both were better than other combinations.Conclusions The determination of CA72-4,CA242,CEA in lung cancer pleural effusion are useful for the diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion associated with lung cancer. The combined determination of the three tumor markers can increase the sensitivity and the speeificity in the diagnosis of lung cancer pleural effusion. Key words: Pleural effusion; Tumor markers; Lung cancer; CA72-4; CA242