title: Evaluation of CA 19-9 as a serum tumour marker in pancreatic cancer.
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 (greater than 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.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Haglund
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kuusela
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Scheinin
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Mäkelä
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jalanko
mesh_terms: D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D001660:Biliary Tract Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007565:Jaundice / Q000276:immunology; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D001663:Bilirubin