Imageological study on esophageal carcinoma at clinical stages and significance of tumor markers MMP-9 and NGAL

Objective: The images of esophageal carcinoma patients at different clinical stages were studied and the tumor markers Matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9) and the urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) were analyzed relatively to assess their clinical significance in treatment. Method: 60 esophageal carcinoma patients, who took a cure in our hospital, were selected as the observation objects and examined by CT and ultrasonic endoscope (EUS), the examination results were compared with those of pathological sections and then the expression levels of tumor markers MMP-9 and NGAL were determined to assess accuracy of clinical stages. Result: The accuracy rate of T-stage examination means of esophageal carcinoma was higher than that of CT, the comparative difference of both was of statistical significance (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between EUS and CT examination at N stages. The positive expression rates of MMP-9 and NGAL were higher in the tissue of esophageal carcinoma than those in normal tissues near carcinoma, and the difference was of statistical significance (P<0.05). Conclusion: EUS examination had higher accuracy in diagnosing T stages of esophageal carcinoma patients and the MMP-9 and NGAL markers had higher expression rates in esophageal carcinoma than in normal cells, which might be associated with occurrence and development of the esophageal carcinoma. So, EUS examination could be regarded as relevant prognostic assessment indicators of MMP-9 and NGAL.