The role of squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC Ag) in outcome prediction after concurrent chemoradiotherapy and treatment decisions for patients with cervical cancer

Abstract

At present, the standard treatment approach for locally advanced cervical cancer is concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). An elevated pretreatment squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC Ag) level is associated with extensive tumors and poor survival for patients with cervical cancer treated with definitive CCRT. SCC Ag levels can be used to help physicians make decisions regarding surgery, avoiding the complications of double treatment modalities. Elevated SCC Ag is associated with radiotherapy resistance, and the rate of SCC Ag reduction during CCRT can predict tumor response after treatment. Moreover, the failure of SCC Ag levels to normalize posttreatment can predict tumor relapse, with a specificity higher than 70%, and adjuvant therapies should be considered for these patients. SCC Ag also plays an important role in the early detection of tumor relapse in patients with cervical cancer during follow-up after CCRT, with high sensitivity and good cost-effectiveness.