The diagnostic value of tumor markers combined with fiberoptic bronchoscopic brushing in lung carcinoma

Objective: To explore the clinical value of serum tumor markers combined with fiberoptic bronchoscopic brushing in diagnosis of lung carcinoma. Methods: The serum levels of carcinombryonic antigen (CEA), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), cytokerantin-19-fragment (CYFRA21-1) and cancer antigen 125 (CA125) in 256 patients with lung cancer were detected by electrochemiluminescent. The tumor cells were examined by conventional smear (CS) and thin layer of liquid-based cytology test (LCT) with Wright's staining and HE staining through fiber bronchoscopic examination, respectively. Results: The serum levels of the tumor markers in patients with lung cancer group were higher than that with benign pulmonary disease (P < 0.05). The sensitivity of combination detection with the 4 tumor markers was 80.47%, There was higher statistical significance than single or either marker (P < 0.05). Lung cancer was diagnosed by thin layer of liquid-based cytology test through fiberoptic bronchoscopic brushing cytology in 215 patients, in which 80 were squamous carcinoma, 66 were adenocarcinoma and 69 were small cell carcinoma. The sensitivity of fiberoptic bronchoscopic brushing cytologic test was 92.09%. The sensitivity of LCT and fiber bronchoscopic examination combined with the tumor markers was 94.42%. Conclusion: The serum tumor markers combined with LCT through fiber bronchoscopic examination may improve the diagnostic rate in lung carcinoma. (authors)