Prognostic significance of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) antigen in primary advanced and recurrent cervical carcinoma

Between January 1986 and June 1992 56 patients with cervical carcinoma were treated with cytostatic drugs in our department. In all patients showing primary response to therapy, the SCC and CEA levels fell rapidly to normal after one or two cycles. In contrast, clinical remission was not obtained in those patients with levels which remained high or rose again following an initial decrease. Using tumor markers, treatment can be individualized so that, cases of therapy failure or further tumor progression can be detected early and the patient can be spared the severe side effects of treatment.