Identification of a profile of serum tumor markers for the diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer

Background: Metastases are the leading cause of death in patients with breast cancer. The aim of this study is to identify a profile of tumor markers that could serve as a biomarker for metastatic breast cancer. Methods: This case-control study includes a group of 46 patients with metastatic breast cancer and a control group of 82 breast cancer patients without metastases. The following tumor markers were measured on serum samples: Carcinoma antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3), CA 125, CA19-9, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Results: A statistically significant difference (p