Serum SCC,
CYFRA 21-1, and CEA are the common tumour markers for
head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (
HNSCC), although diagnostic sensitivity should be yet improved, especially at early stages. In the present study, we have reported the diagnostic value of two novel serum tumour markers in
HNSCC:
alpha-L-fucosidase (AFU) activity, and total
sialic acid concentration adjusted by total
protein concentration (
TSA/TP). Using the cut-off 4.0 U/ml, AFU showed a sensitivity of 55% with specificity levels of 91%, 85% and 50% to discriminate
HNSCC patients from healthy donors, drinking and smoking subjects, and patients with benign diseases, respectively. Furthermore, AFU showed the best sensitivity (71%) in the detection of patients with premalign lesions. Using the cut-off 12.0 ng/mg,
TSA/TP showed the best sensitivity levels (63%) in the diagnosis of
HNSCC with specificity levels of 94%, 50% and 90%, regarding healthy donors, drinking and smoking subjects, and patients with benign diseases, respectively. It was of special interest that sensitivity in the diagnosis of
HNSCC at non-disseminated stages was improved when using combinations of AFU+CYFRA or
TSA/TP+CYFRA, up to 86% or 71% in TNM I, 60% or 80% in TNM II, and 80% or 60% in TNM III, respectively.