title: [Serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen (CA 19-9) values in patients with pancreatic cancer or pancreatitis].
abstract: For evaluating the diagnostic rate of serum CA19-9 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in pancreatic malignancies and pancreatitis, 22 patients with pancreatic malignancy, 27 patients with acute pancreatitis and 7 patients with chronic pancreatitis were included in this prospective study. The normal values of CEA and CA19-9 were 2.0 ng/ml and 36 U/ml respectively in 10 healthy males and 11 healthy females. The positive rates of CEA (greater than 2.5 ng/ml) in pancreatic malignancy, acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis were 50%, 47% and 38%, respectively. On the other hand, the positive rates of CA19-9 (greater than 37U/ml) in pancreatic malignancy, acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis were 82%, 26% and 23%, respectively. In diagnosis of pancreatic malignancy, the positive rate of CA19-9 is higher than that of CEA (82% vs 50%), and CA19-9 has a sensitivity significantly higher in differentiating from pancreatitis than CEA. In 7 cases of pancreatic malignancy with metastasis (liver or peritoneum), all had abnormally high serum CA19-9 (greater than 195 U/ml), 6 of 7 had CA19-9 levels over 1000 U/ml. In the view of CEA, 6 of 7 had serum CEA over 5 ng/ml, one patient with peritoneal metastasis had normal CEA level. In this study, we conclude that the diagnostic rate of CA19-9 in pancreatic malignancies is better than that of CEA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastrointestinal, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaoshiung, Taiwan, R.O.C.
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Changchine
authors.forename: C Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Yung
authors.forename: K Y
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Tzen
mesh_terms: D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate / Q000032:analysis*; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood*; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen