The aim of this study was to evaluate the importance and potential of Cyfra 21-1 as a tumor marker (TM) for follow-up of patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of oropharynx.
Patients and methods: Cyfra 21-1 serum levels of 50 patients with oropharyngeal SCC were evaluated by ECLIA assay. Statistical analysis was performed using the Jonckheere-Terpstra test.
Results: There was no significant correlation between the Cyfra 21-1 level at the time of initial diagnosis, nor with the clinical and pathological parameters: T-stage (p=0.5), lymph node metastasis (p=0.73), and histological grade (p=0.35). The sensitivity and specificity of Cyfra 21-1 as a follow-up tumor marker was 45% and 93.3%, respectively. In cases of local tumor recurrence or distant metastasis, a higher concentration of Cyfra 21-1 during follow-up was observed than at the time of initial diagnosis.
Conclusion: Cyfra 21-1 serum concentration is not suitable for use in early diagnosis of SCC of the oropharynx. An abrupt increase of Cyfra 21-1 during follow-up indicates disease progression or distant metastasis in the individual patient, independently from the cut-off value.