The significance of tumour markers as an indication for mediastinoscopy in non-small cell lung cancer.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to verify the significance of tumour markers as indicators for mediastinoscopy in non-small cell lung cancer.

Methodology: In the past 4 years, 205 patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) underwent surgical resection at Chiba Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan. The correlation between the serum levels of eight tumour markers (CEA, AFP, CA19-9, SCC, NSE, CA125, CYFRA, ProGRP) and the presence of N2 disease was analysed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the relationship between both marker levels and clinical findings and N2 disease.

Results: In multivariate analysis, positive CEA was significantly associated with the diagnosis of N2 disease. We also demonstrated that when CA125, CYFRA and ProGRP were positive, they were individually significantly associated with N2 disease. However, CEA was superior to the other markers and equivalent to a combination of various tumour markers.

Conclusion: It was concluded that evaluation of CEA in addition to CT is of use in the diagnosis of N2 disease in NSCLC patients and should be used as an indication for mediastinoscopy.