Table 2. Tumour marker values at baseline and time of increase.

Parameter	Median	Range	95th percentile	Above the reference range (N)
Baseline values (N=44)
CEA (ng ml−1)	1.3	1.0–5.4	2.9	1
CA 15-3 (U ml−1)	19.5	5.9–50.3	33.4	7
CA 125 (U ml−1)	11.7	2.9–90.8	60.9	3
Values at time of increase
CEA (ng ml−1) (N=19)	3.1	2.1–11.1	11.1	12
CA 15-3 (U ml−1) (N=18)	41.7	13.2–90.0	90.0	15
CA 125 (U ml−1) (N=10)	51.7	25.5–189.0	189.0	8

Abbreviations: CA=cancer antigen; CEA=carcinoembryonal antigen.

Reproducible increases: 100% for CEA, 75% for CA 15-3 and 150% for CA 125.

Reference ranges: CEA<3 ng ml⁻¹, CA 15-3<28 U ml⁻¹ and CA 125<35 U ml⁻¹.