1990 Volume 1990 Issue Supplement37 Pages 259-267
Between Feb.1987 and March 1989 the serum levels of tumor associated antigen (CEA, TA-4) and immunosuppressive substances (IS) were determined in 85 patients with head and neck epithelial malignancies. In the serum levels of CEA and TA-4, the positive ratios were low,23.2% and 22.5 respectively. They were high only stage IV prior to treatment. In the serum levels of immunosuppressive substance, the positive ratio was 32.4%, and the mean values were elevated reflecting clinical staging. Especially for the patients in stage IV, a 75.0% positive ratio was seen prior to treatment. After treatment, the serum levels of each marker were normal in cases with no evidence of disease, but in recurrent or uncontrolled cases, such serum levels were elevated.
It seems that the serum levels of each m a rker is useful for monitoring the controlled or uncontrolled condition of malignancies.
