Diagnostic pitfall; interpretation of CA 19-9 concentrations in the presence of hepatic dysfunction.
A 50 year old man is described with hepatic dysfunction and chronic pancreatitis in whom greatly increased concentrations of the pancreatic tumour marker CA 19-9 combined with an abnormal appearance at endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography lead to the false suspicion of pancreatic carcinoma. CA 19-9 concentrations should be interpreted with caution in patients with intrinsic liver disease or biliary obstruction.
Pearce
S
S
Department of Medicine, North Tees General Hospital, Stockton on Tees, Cleveland.
Thornes
H
H
Carr
D
D
Tanner
A
A
D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate / Q000097:blood*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor