Serum CA 15.3, CEA and ESR patterns in breast cancer.

Serum CA 15.3, CEA and ESR were longitudinally determined in 298 patients with breast cancer during postsurgical follow-up and/or therapy. Observation lasted until the death of the patient or at least for three years. With regards to longitudinal serum markers and ESR curves, four different patterns have been identified: pattern I: the markers and ESR stayed at normal levels; pattern II: the markers and ESR decreased from a peak level; pattern III: the markers and ESR fluctuated widely; pattern IV: the markers and ESR increased steadily. We have looked at over all survival (OS) and relapse-free survival ( RFS) versus longitudinal CA 15.3, CEA and ESR patterns. Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that OS and RFS were significantly associated with all four patterns.