A Comprehensive Study of the CA-72.4 Tumor Marker Utilization and Cancer Detection: Analysis Based on Ministry of Health Data

Abstract

Background: This study aims to explore the relevance and utilization of the CA 72.4 tumor marker in cancer diagnosis, with a particular focus on gastrointestinal tumors and ovarian cancer, based on data from the Minis-try of Health. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of health records from the Ministry of Health spanning over five years. The data, consisting of various demographics, including gender, age, and clinical service requests, was statistically analyzed. The rates of reference range exceedance for the CA 72.4 tumor marker, diagnosis times, the ratio of cancer diagnosis, and the cost distribution were among the key aspects evaluated. Results: The analysis revealed a significant increase in the request for CA 72.4 tests over the years. It was also observed that cancer detection rates slightly increased over time, with a higher percentage in patients testing positive for CA 72.4, primarily requested before diagnosis. The highest requests for the test were made by the Medical Oncology clinic. Furthermore, it was observed that gender and age groups played significant roles in the prevalence of cancer diagnoses. Conclusions: Our study indicates that the use of CA 72.4 as a tumor marker could be valuable, especially in the detection of certain types of cancer. However, the correlation between a positive CA 72.4 test and a definitive cancer diagnosis requires further investigation, as the sensitivity and specificity of this marker are still subjects of debate. Despite certain limitations, this study offers substantial insights into the utility of CA 72.4 in the current healthcare setting.