FOLLOW-UP OF PATIENTS AND PROGNOSTIC IMPACT OF TUMOUR MARKER CA 15-3 ON PATIENTS OF BREAST CANCER: A RETROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY

Introduction:Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, with 5- and 10-year relative survival rates are 91% and 84%, respectively for women with invasive breast cancer. This study aimed to detect the role of serum breast cancer marker CA 15-3 for early detection of metastasis, relapse or recurrence for management of breast cancer patients. Methods: It was a retrospective cohort study with a total of 132 breast cancer patients from the year 2010 to march 2020 were taken and followed up. For these patients demographic, biochemical parameters, radiological and clico-pathological data were collected and analysed. Result: The mean age at the time of presentation and mean duration of follow-up was 47 years and 31 months respectively. There was elevation in the serum level of CA 15-3 at the time of diagnosis of metastasis, recurrence or residual disease in 41 patients. This shows that sensitivity of elevated CA 15-3 (> 30 IU/ml) level in Ca Breast patients was 84%, 75 % and 75 % with respect to metastasis, recurrence and relapse. Log Rank test Chi- square value was 7.39 which was statistically significant (p=0.007). Cox proportional hazard model was created for effect of age at presentation, CA 15-3 at the time of diagnosis and MRM on distant metastasis and was statistically significant (p=0.037). Conclusion: We recommend that for the management of breast cancer patients, Cancer antigen (CA 15-3) levels can be used as prognostic marker for early diagnosis of metastasis, recurrence or relapse.