Study of Cyfra 21–1, a Tumor Marker, in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Objectives:We performed a prospective study to determine the cutoff value and the prognostic value of Cyfra 21–1, a serum tumor marker, in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).Methods:The serum concentration of Cyfra 21–1 was measured in a group of 300 patients (group 1) with HNSCC, in a control group of 71 healthy subjects (group 2), and in a group of 73 patients with a nonmalignant tumor or inflammatory disease (group 3). The concentrations were compared between the various groups and subgroups; the cutoff value was calculated with a receiver operating characteristic curve. Furthermore, the serum concentrations of Cyfra 21–1 before treatment in the group of 300 patients were compared with the stage of the disease and with the evolution of the overall survival rate and the disease-free survival rate. Finally, to determine whether Cyfra 21–1 is an independent prognostic factor, we compared the concentrations, by a Cox model, with the classic prognostic factors of HNSCC.Results:At the cutoff value...