The role of bile carcinoembryonic antigen in diagnosing bile duct cancer.
It is known that the fluids bathing tumors might contain a higher level of the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) than those found in the blood. Therefore, we evaluated the role of bile CEA in diagnosing bile duct cancer. One hundred and thirty two patients were prospectively studied. The patients were divided into 3 groups: the bile duct cancer (n=32), pancreatic cancer (n=16), and benign biliary diseases (n=84) groups. Bile samples were obtained on the next day of the biliary drainage procedures. The mean bile CEA level in those with bile duct cancer (120.6 +/- 156.9 ng/mL) was significantly higher than those with pancreatic cancer and benign biliary diseases (32.0 +/- 28.5 ng/mL, 29.3 +/- 56.3 ng/mL). Using the level of 20 ng/mL, the sensitivity and specificity of bile CEA in the diagnosis of bile duct cancer from benign biliary diseases were 65.6% and 66.7%, respectively. Both the bile CEA and total bilirubin level were found to be an independent factor linked to bile duct cancer. This study result suggests that bile CEA level is a useful supplementary test for diagnosing bile duct cancer.
Joo
Kwang Ro
KR
Department of Internal Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, Korea. gicolon@unitel.co.kr
Kim
Do Ha
DH
Park
Jong Ho
JH
Bang
Sung-Jo
SJ
Shin
Jung Woo
JW
Park
Neung Hwa
NH
Park
Jae Hoo
JH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001646:Bile / Q000737:chemistry*; D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013223:Statistics as Topic
D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen