Serum Levels of CEA, SCC, TPS and CYFRA 21-1 in Hemodialysis Patients

Distribution of CEA, SCC, IPS and CYFRA 21-1 serum levels and incidence of their elevated levels were studied in 50 urémie patients before starting dialysis and compared to those in 85 patients with benign lung diseases (BLD) as well as to 60 patients with non-small lung cancer (NSCLC). CEA and IPS showed significantly higher levels in NSCLC as compared to uremia (CEA, p = 0.03; IPS, p = 0.02). Oppositely, SCC and CYFRA 21-1 levels were higher in urémie patients, although only for SCC the difference between these two groups was significant (p < 0.001). CEA was found to be elevated in 16%, SCC in 52%, TPS in 18% and CYFRA 21-1 in 52% of patients with uremia. Between tumor markers themselves a moderate correlation was found only between SCC and CYFRA 21-1 (r=0.51, p=0.002). It is concluded that SCC and CYFRA 21-1 may have a limited value in uremia due to the high incidence of false positive results. Elevated tumor marker serum levels do not indicate malignancy, unless renal failure is excluded.