We aimed to investigate the indications for Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9), carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA-125), carbohydrate antigen 15-3 (CA15-3) and carcinoembryogenic antigen (CEA) tumor biomarkers, less commonly used in children, and their association with patients diagnosed with childhood cancers.

The study aimed to include patients aged 0-18 who had CA 19-9, CA-125, CA 15-3 and CEA tumor biomarker assessments at Adana City Training and Research Hospital (ACTRH) between 01.11.2022 and 01.11.2023. CA 19-9, CA-125, CA 15-3 and CEA values were recorded from routinely collected serum/blood samples of the patients. The relationship between tumor biomarkers and patients diagnosed with childhood cancers was evaluated.

The study included 211 patients. Out of 211 patients, 145 (68.7%) were female, and 66 (31.3%) were male. Malignancy was detected in 35 patients (16.6%). There was no statistically significant relationship observed between CA 15-3, CA 19-9, and CEA positivity and the detection of malignancy. The respective p-values were found to be (p=0.711, p= 0.533, p=0.573). A statistically significant relationship was observed between CA-125 positivity and the detection of malignancy (p=0.002).

Tumor markers alone are not sufficient for making a definitive diagnosis or determining treatment decisions. However further comprehensive studies are needed for detection of association conventional tumor markers and childhood cancers.