Introduction: In our work we asked ourselves whether it would be possible to use growth factors for a quick orientation in the clinical status of patients prior to biopsy and histological examination.
Material and methods: Our patient group included 82 patients with breast cancer. Serum samples were collected preoperatively. Histological examination findings were available for each patient. Our set was divided into three groups based on the disease stage. The values of analytes in different tumor stages were statistically evaluated and statistical comparisons of Stage I and II, and then of Stage II and III were performed.
Results: Tumor markers CEA, CA 15-3, TK, TPA-M and MonoTotal correlate with the disease severity. Serum levels of the growth factor IGFI negatively correlated with the severity of cancer. There was aa statistically significant increase in the EGF growth factor serum levels between Stage I and II. No statistically significant differences between Stage I vs. II and Stage II vs. III were detected when HGF and VEGF growth factor serum levels were assessed.
Conclusion: The growth factor EGF is one of the candidates to become a tumor growth marker in early disease stages. The IGFI, HGF and VEGF growth factors can not be used for quick and correct orientation in the clinical condition of patients in the early stages of tumor growth.