Journal of Clinical Oncology, Vol 6, 782-785, Copyright © 1988 by American Society of Clinical Oncology
Squamous cell carcinoma antigen as a marker for squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal
NJ Petrelli, N Shaw, A Bhargava, J Daufeldt, L Herrera, JP Stulc, B Sischy and A Mittelman
Department of Surgical Oncology, Roswell Park Memorial Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263.
Twenty-one patients with documented squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the
anal canal underwent prospective serial collection of 101 serum samples for
radioimmunoassay of SCC antigen to evaluate regression or progression of
disease. Eighteen presented with primary SCC of the anal canal, two with
metastatic disease, and one with a recurrence in the perineum. Median
follow-up was 18 months. Thirteen of 22 serum samples were true-positives,
and nine of 22 were false-negatives. Four of 79 serum samples were
false-positives and 75 of 79 were true-negatives. The sensitivity of this
test is 59% and the specificity is 95%, with the accuracy of a positive
test being 76%.