Serum CA 19-9 concentrations and computed tomography findings in patients with pancreatic carcinoma

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Abstract
Carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19‐9 is a new tumor markerdefined by a monoclonal antibody. Serum CA 19‐9 concentrations and computed tomography (CT) findings were studied in 55 patients with histologically proven adenocarcinomaand in 22 patients with chronic pancreatitis. CA 19‐9 was useful in 83% of cases for the differential diagnosis between pancreatic carcinoma and chronic pancreatitisand serum CA 19‐9 levels in pancreatic carcinoma were highly related to the size of tumors. Serum CA 19‐9 levels greater than 37 U/ml were seen in patients with a tumor of less than 3 cm3 to 5 cmand greater than 5 cm in diameter 13% (1/8)90% (19/21)and 92% (24/26) of casesrespectively. Tumor locationhoweverwas unrelated to serum CA 19‐9 value. These results indicated that the measurement of serum CA 19‐9 concentrations would be useful in mostif not allcases for the differential diagnosis between pancreatic carcinoma and chronic pancreatitisand for the evaluation of tumor burden in patients with pancreatic carcinoma.