To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: Plasma DNA a Reliable Marker of Recurrent Esophageal Cancer URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/2265F2.htm Doctor's Guide July 25, 2008
CHICAGO -- July 25, 2008 -- Elevated plasma DNA is a reliable marker of recurrent esophageal cancer, according to new research published in the July issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. The study also suggests that plasma DNA levels rise before clinical evidence of cancer recurrence in the majority of patients. "The diagnosis of metastatic esophageal cancer prior to surgery and recurrent disease after surgery remains challenging, as the clinical staging of esophageal cancer is difficult and current scanning technologies are limited," said Farzaneh Banki, MD, Keck School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, California. "The results of our study suggest that measuring DNA levels could improve the diagnosis of and prediction of recurrence of this disease."
The study analysed the sensitivity and specificity of plasma DNA as a preoperative marker of metastasised disease and a postoperative marker in residual or recurrent esophageal cancer. Plasma DNA was measured in 45 patients with esophageal cancer and 44 healthy volunteers; serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was measured in 31 patients.
Plasma DNA was found to be more sensitive than CEA for detecting cancer that cannot be removed through a surgical procedure and was also more sensitive than CEA in detecting recurrent esophageal. All patients with recurrent disease had elevated plasma DNA, and no patient with normal plasma DNA had recurrent disease. Plasma DNA rose before there was clinical evidence of recurrence in 67% of patients versus 17% of patients measured for CEA.
The researchers suggested the role of plasma DNA is of more value after surgical intervention in identifying patients with recurrent disease. In contrast, a normal CEA level should be interpreted cautiously, as it does not exclude recurrent disease. The researchers asserted that greater numbers of patients and longer follow-up are necessary to confirm these findings.
SOURCE: Journal of the American College of Surgeons --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of P\S\L content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of P\S\L. P\S\L shall not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this content or any other content on its sites, newsletters or other publications, nor for any decisions or actions taken in reliance on such content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This news story was printed from *Doctor's Guide to the Internet* located at http://www.docguide.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to News Story Page This site is maintained by webmaster@pslgroup.com Please contact us with any comments, problems or bugs. All contents Copyright (c) 1998 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved.