Notable relationship between the level of tumor marker TPS in serum and survival in breast cancer.

Tissue Polypeptide Specific antigen (TPS) in serum was measured once during the follow-up of 200 breast cancer patients and compared with survival. Within 12 months, patients with normal TPS (< 80 U/L) exhibited a 3% death rate (3/96), which was undistinguishable from the mortality of normal females of corresponding age. Patients with moderate TPS (80-400 U/L) suffered 19% death (14/72), and patients with high TPS (> 400 U/L) 72% death (23/32). The relative risk (RR) of death within 6 months was 1 with normal TPS, 8 with moderate TPS, and 48 with high TPS. RR for 12 months was 1, 6, and 23, respectively. Serum TPS at admission had a significant predictive value with regard to survival up to 12 months.