Abstract

ENGUIDANOS, M. J. et al. Usefulness of the tumor markers in the diagnose of idiopathic deep venous thrombosis associated cancer. An. Med. Interna (Madrid) [online]. 2002, vol.19, n.11, pp.13-22. ISSN 0212-7199.

Objective: To evaluate a wide detection of tumor markers practiced during admission for the diagnosis of cancer in patients with idiopathic deep venous thrombosis  Material and methods: Prospective study including 48 patients with documented DVT who lacked a predisposing cause to DVT. It was determined in serum: carcinoembryonic antigen, alphafetoprotein, CA 19-9, CA 125, beta-2-microglobulin, SCC (squamous cell antigen), NSE (neuron-specific enolase), PSA (prostate-specific antigen) in the males and CA15-3 in the women. The patients were evaluated for cancer during admission and followed up at 6 and 12 months.  Results: The age was 65 years. A positive tumor marker at least was detected in 23 patients (48%). A cancer was diagnosed in 8 patients (16%), 4 in the group with elevated tumor markers and 4 in the group with normal tumor markers. We don´t find significant differences in cancer incidence between both groups. However, of the 4 cases of cancer diagnosed in the group with elevated markers only 1 was considered true positive since in the others three cases the elevate tumor marker was not appropriated with the cancer diagnosed. Six tumors were diagnosed during admission and two during follow-up period. According to these results was obtained a sensitivity of 12%, a specificity of 52%, a positive predictive value of 5% and a negative predictive value of 75%.  Conclusions: The cancer incidence is similar to previous series. We have found a poor sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value. However, the negative predictive value was of 75% and the patients who were normals for results of all tumor markers and was asyntomatic during admission hadn´t a subsequent cancer diagnosis.

Keywords : Deep venous thrombosis; Cancer; Tumor markers; Screening.

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