ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SELECTED TUMOUR MARKERS AND CERVICAL INTRAEPITHELIAL NEOPLASM AMONG WOMEN IN BENIN CITY, NIGERIA

*Atoe, K. | Deptment of Chemical Pathology, Edo University, Iyamho, Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Female mortality rate due to cervical cancer is on the increase in developing countries like Nigeria. Early detection of premalignant lesions in the cervix is critical in increasing the chances of survival. This requires an effective primary screening mechanism before the onset of clinical symptoms. The purpose of this study was to investigate the capacity of three biomarkers; Cancer Antigen 125 (CA125), Cancer Antigen 15.3 (CA15.3) and Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) in the diagnosis of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasm (CIN). The study, which was a cross-sectional prospective study, was carried out at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Benin Teaching Hospital Benin City and Department of Chemical Pathology, Edo University Iyamho, Edo state Nigeria, between August 2017 and January 2019. A total of 197 female participants were recruited and grouped into; Negative, CIN 1, CIN 2 and CIN 3 based on histological diagnosis. Venous blood was obtained from participants and serum CA125, CA15.3 and CEA levels were determined using standardized laboratory methods. The results showed a significant elevation in serum CA125, CA15.3 and CEA levels with CIN 3 lesions (17.81 ng/ml, 49.46 ng/ml and 17.43 ng/ml respectively) compared to their counterpart healthy individuals (8.89ng/ml, 32. 18ng/ml and 11.57ng/ml respectively). The markers presented low sensitivities (0 - 54.47 %) and high specificities (98.11 – 100.00 %) when compared with gold standard (histological diagnosis).