ROLE OF BONE SCINTIGRAPHY AND TUMOR MARKER-CA 15-3 IN DETECTION OF BONE METASTASES IN PATIENTS WITH BREAST CANCER

摘要

Breast cancer is one of the most frequent types of cancer affecting women. After hematoge-nous spreading of cancer, axial skeleton is most frequently involved. Bone scintigraphy is commonly performed in detection and evaluation of bone metastases. In breast cancer, marker Ca 15-3 is widely accepted in follow-up and detection of disease recurrence. Aim of the study was to correlate levels of tumor marker Ca 15-3 and presence of bone metastases detected by bone scintigraphy Study included 25 patients with breast cancer, previously surgically treated. All patients underwent total body scintigraphy Ca 15-3 was measured by radioimmunoassay Presence, number and location of bone metastases were correlated with Ca 15-3 levels. Bone scintigraphy revealed bone metastases in 16 (64%) patients. 11 (44%) patients with metastases and 1 patient (4%) without scintigraphically visible metastases had elevated Ca 15-3 levels. Significant difference in distribution of metastases was found for spine (t=3.930, p=0.008). Correlation between intensity of radiopharmaceutical uptake and level of Ca 15-3 in patients was positive (r =0.405). A weak correlation was found between number of metastases and level of Ca 15-3 (r=0.139). Significant differences in Ca 15-3 level was found in patients with metastases compared to patients without metastases (chi square o, p =1.0). Since no significant correlation was found between level of Ca 15-3 and number of metastases, we consider scintigraphy an appropriate method for assessment of bone metastases in breast cancer