[Increased serum CA 19.9 in bronchiectasis].
BACKGROUND
CA 19.9 is considered the most specific and sensitive serological marker of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. However, serum CA 19.9 can be raised in several non-neoplastic disorders, particularly in various benign pulmonary diseases. An increase in serum CA 19.9 in bronchiectasis remains exceptional.


METHODS
We report the case of a 67 year old woman in whom a serum level of more than 1500 U/ml (normal value less than 37 U/ml) was found incidentally. Exhaustive investigation and clinical evolution excluded a neoplastic digestive disorder but positron emission tomography revealed a distinct hypermetabolic focus in the area of the hilum of the right lung. A complementary work-up (CT scan and fibreoptic bronchoscopy) demonstrated bilateral bronchiectasis colonised with Haemophilus influenzae. Antibiotic therapy with amoxicillin-clavulanic acid brought about a decrease in the serum CA 19.9 but level of the tumour marker remained abnormal after more than 2 years.


CONCLUSIONS
This case report emphasises the uselessness of tumour markers as screening tests as a serum level of CA 19.9 up to 50 times normal may be found in benign respiratory disorders such as bronchiectasis.
Yango
J
J
Service de Médecine Interne, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Bruxelles, Belgium.
Pieters
T
T
Coche
E
E
Lambert
M
M
D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001987:Bronchiectasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans
D015415:Biomarkers; D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen