Evaluation of CA 19-9 as a serum tumour marker in pancreatic cancer

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Abstract
Serum concentrations of the CA-19-9 antigen were determined in 91 patients with pancreatic cancer and in 111 patients with benign pancreatic biliary and hepatocellular diseases. The CA-19-9 concentration was above the cut-off limit (37 U ml-1) in 78% of the patients with pancreatic cancer and high levels (> 500 U Ml-1) were seen in 56% of these patients. Elevated levels were also seen in benign diseases (22%), especially in patients with extrahepatic cholestasis (up to 440 U ml-1). Hepatocellular jaundice and pancreatitis were associated with normal values (84% of the patients), or with only slightly elevated CA-19-9 levels (up to 88 U ml-1). The CA-19-9 test can be useful as an additional diagnostic tool for the detection of pancreatic cancer. Preliminary results suggest that the CA-19-9 assay can be used in the monitoring of surgically treated patients.

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