Comparison of Cyfra 21–1 and Squamous Cell Carcinoma Antigen in Detecting Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Abstract

CYFRA 21–1 is a newly developed tumor marker that is especially useful for detecting squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lung. Squamous cell carcinoma antigen is a proven tumor marker that is especially useful for detecting SCC of the cervix. Our aim in this study was to compare the clinical value of CYFRA 21–1 and SCC antigen in the detection of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Serum levels of CYFRA 21–1 and SCC antigen were measured in 80 untreated NPC patients and 77 healthy controls. The cutoff values of CYFRA 21–1 and SCC antigen, determined at the 95th percentile of the 77 healthy controls, were 2.48 ng/mL and 1.49 ng/mL, respectively. The results revealed that the mean serum value of only CYFRA 21–1 was significantly higher in the 80 NPC patients than in the 77 healthy controls, and the detection sensitivity of CYFRA 21–1 for NPC was significantly higher than that of SCC antigen. In conclusion, our results suggest that CYFRA 21–1 is a better tumor marker than SCC antigen for detection of NPC.