Comparison of a new tumour marker, CA 19-9, with alpha-fetoprotein and carcinoembryonic antigen in patients with upper gastrointestinal diseases.
Serum CA 19-9 antigen concentrations were measured in 246 patients with benign and histologically confirmed malignant gastrointestinal diseases. The CA 19-9 concentration was above the upper limit of the normal range (0-37 U/ml) in 76% of patients with pancreatic carcinoma, 73% of patients with cholangiocarcinoma, 42% of patients with gastric carcinoma, and 22% of patients with hepatoma. High CA 19-9 concentrations were found mainly in patients with a metastasised cancer, whereas 71% of patients with a localised carcinoma had normal CA 19-9 concentrations. All of the patients with benign gastric diseases had normal CA 19-9 values. Moderately increased concentrations were found in 15-36% of the patients with benign pancreatic, liver, and biliary tract diseases. alpha-fetoprotein was a better marker for hepatomas than CA 19-9. CA 19-9 was better than carcinoembryonic antigen in differentiating malignant from benign diseases. The results indicate that the CA 19-9 assay is not completely specific for cancer but serves as a valuable adjunct, especially in the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma.
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D001660:Biliary Tract Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D010182:Pancreatic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis*
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins