Lipid-bound sialic acid as a tumor marker

Significant elevations in plasma/serum lipid bound sialic acid (LSA) concentrations have been documented in patients with malignant diseases. Initial studies indicate that LSA may be a useful marker in cancer of the prostate, bladder, breast, lung, colon, ovary and in leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkins disease and melanoma. The data suggest that the LSA test lacks the required sensitivity and specificity for routine cancer detection but may be a valuable adjunct in the clinical evaluation of the cancer patient.