Diagnositic Value Of Combined Determination Of CA72-4, CA242, CEA In Lung Cancer Pleural Effusion

[Objective] To combined determination of CA72-4, CA242, CEA(Carcinoembryonic Antigen) in the pleural effusion to evaluate the valuesof them in lung cancer pleural effusion.[Methods] 61 pleural effusion samples were enrolled in the study. The31 lung cancer pleural effusion samples included 15 cases ofadenocarcinoma pleural effusion, 10 cases of squamous cell carcinomapleural effusion, 6 cases of lung cancer pleural effusion which could notbe typed. The 30 benign pleural effusion samples included 21 cases oftuberculous pleural effusion, 8 cases of parapneumonic pleural effusion,1 case of transudate. The concentration of CA72-4,CA242,CEA in thepleural effusion of the 61 patients was determined with radioimmunoassay(RIA) or immunoradiometricassay (IRMA). Statistical analysis wasperformed with SPSS statistical software. The results were analyzed withsensitivity, specificity, positive prognostic value, negative prognosticvalue and accuracy.[Results] The values of CA72-4, CA242, CEA (CarcinoembryonicAntigen) in the lung cancer pleural effusion were higher than the valuesin the benign groups, P<0．05．The sensitivity and specificity of CA72-4were 45．16% and 86．67% in lung cancer pleural effusion, 46．70% and 86．67%in adenocarcinoma pleural effusion, 40．00% and 86．67% in squamous cell carcinoma pleυral effusion; The sensitivity and specificity of CA242 were51．61% and 90．00% in lung cancer pleural effusion, 60．00% and 90．00% inadenocarcinoma pleural effusion, 50．00% and 90．00% in squamous cellcarcinoma pleural effusion; The sensitivity and specificity of CEA(Carcinoembryonic Antigen) were 74．19% and 90．00% in lung cancer pleuraleffusion, 73．33% and 90．00% in adenocarcinoma pleural effusion , 70．00%and 90．00% in squamous cell carcinoma pleural effusion. Combineddetermination of CA72-4, CA242, CEA in the pleural effusion: Thesensitivity and specificity of CA72-4+CEA and CA72-4+CA242+CEA were87．10% and 100．00%. Both of them were better than other combinations.[Conclusions] The determination of CA72-4, CA242, CEA in lung cancerpleural effusion are useful for the diagnosis of malignant pleuraleffusion associated with lung cancer, especially for adenocarcinoma. Thecombined determination of the three tumor markers can increase thesensitivity and the specificity in the diagnosis of lung cancer pleuraleffusion.