The clinical relevance of the tumor marker CA 19-9 in the diagnosing and monitoring of pancreatic carcinoma.
The tumor marker test CA19-9 is based on monoclonal antibody to colonic carcinoma cell lines. In this study, the utility of the tumor marker in the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma was evaluated. CA19-9 is strongly expressed in most tissue specimens from pancreatic carcinomas. However, this antigen is also found in normal pancreas and specimens from chronic pancreatitis. CA19-9 is released into the circulation, and was found in increased concentrations (greater than 37 U/ml) in 87% of the patients with pancreatic carcinoma (N = 145), as compared with only 13% in the group of patients with benign diseases (N = 1081) and 29% of those with extrapancreatic malignancies (N = 691). The preoperatively raised CA19-9 concentration in patients with stage I of pancreatic carcinoma decreased after curative resection of the carcinoma to values within normal range. However, in no CA19-9 estimation following a palliative surgical intervention of stage III and IV patients or in cases of inoperable carcinomas was a serum concentration of less than 37 U/ml recorded. The mean survival rate of stage I patients was 29 months, whereas it was only 6 months for stage III, IV and patients with inoperable carcinomas.
Safi
F
F
Department of General Surgery, University of Ulm, FRG.
Roscher
R
R
Beger
H G
HG
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate / Q000032:analysis*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000276:immunology; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D015166:Monitoring, Immunologic; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010182:Pancreatic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D011184:Postoperative Period
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen