Assessment of the relationship between serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag) concentration in patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix and the risk of relapse

Introduction
Parameters that will help to identify patients with better and worse prognosis are sought in subjects with locally advanced squamous cell cervical carcinoma.

Aim of the study
To assess the relationship between squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag) concentration and the risk of relapse in patients with squamous cell cervical carcinoma staged IIB-IIIB.

Material and methods
The study group consisted of 52 patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma staged II B (n = 39) and IIIB (n = 13). Serum SCC-Ag concentration was assessed prior to radiochemotherapy or radiotherapy and four weeks after treatment.

Results
The follow-up after treatment ranged from 1 to 33 months (16.2 ±10.5). During follow-up, nine relapses were diagnosed (17.3%). The concentration of SCC-Ag before the treatment was elevated in 41 cases (78.8%) and in 11 cases (21.2%) it was ≤ 2 ng/ml. In all the patients with relapses SCC-Ag concentration before the treatment was elevated. Relapses were diagnosed in five patients with elevated SCC-Ag concentration after the treatment (55.6%) and in four patients with normal SCC-Ag concentration after the treatment (9.3%). There was a positive correlation between SCC-Ag concentration before and after the treatment and relapse occurrence.

Conclusions
Evaluation of serum SCC-Ag concentration in patients with locally advanced squamous cell cervical carcinoma before treatment is a valuable supplementary diagnostic tool and patients with high SCC-Ag concentration are at an increased risk of relapse. Due to the relationship between elevated serum SCC-Ag concentration after treatment and increased risk of relapse, these patients may require a more intensive post-treatment follow-up.