title: The Role of CA19-9 in Predicting Tumour Resectability in Carcinoma Head of Pancreas.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) is a tumour associated antigen. Blood levels may be elevated in benign as well as malignant conditions. Its sensitivity (70-90%) and specificity (68-91%) are inadequate for accurate diagnosis. It can be used to predict the extent of disease and outcome after resection.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to assess the role of CA 19-9 in predicting the resectability of the tumour in the head of pancreas.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective study which included 30 patients and study period was from May 2012 to October 2014. Data collected from all patients with carcinoma of the head of pancreas on the basis of contrast enhanced computed tomography/Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreaticography. CA 19-9 levels were measured and recorded. Patients who were medically unfit for surgery or those who didn't warrant palliative surgery were excluded from the study. During surgery the operative findings on operability were documented and tabulated against corresponding CA 19-9 levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 30 patients who were operated, 13(43.3%) patients had operable tumours and underwent Whipple's procedure and 17(56.7%) underwent palliative bypass procedure. Of the 30, CA 19-9 levels were elevated in 9(30.0%) and were normal in 21(70.0%). Among 13(43.3%) who had operable tumours, CA 19-9 was elevated in 4(13.3) and was normal in 9(30.0%). Of the 17(56.7%) who had inoperable tumours CA 19-9 was elevated in 5(16.7%) and was normal in 12(40.0%). Among the 17 who had inoperable tumours, 8(47.1%) were diagnosed preoperatively and of them CA 19-9 levels were raised in 2(11.8%) and normal in 6(35.3%). In the group of 9(52.9%) who had inoperable tumours diagnosed intraoperatively, CA 19-9 was raised in 3(17.6%) of them and was normal in the remaining 6(35.3%) of them.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on the study findings, it can be stated that there is no significant correlation with resectability of pancreatic adenocarcinoma and CA 19-9 and it doesn't predict vascular involvement and liver metastasis.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of General Surgery, Srm Medical College and Hospital , Chennai, Tamilnadu, India .
authors.forename: Jayabal
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pandiaraja
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of General Surgery, Govt. Stanley Medical College and Hospital , Chennai, Tamilnadu, India .
authors.forename: Subramanian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Viswanathan
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of General Surgery, Govt. Stanley Medical College and Hospital , Chennai, Tamilnadu, India .
authors.forename: Thomas Babu
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Antomy
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of General Surgery, Govt. Stanley Medical College and Hospital , Chennai, Tamilnadu, India .
authors.forename: Sathyamoorthy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thirumuruganand
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of General Surgery, Govt. Stanley Medical College and Hospital , Chennai, Tamilnadu, India .
authors.forename: Dhandapani Subramanian
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Kumaresan
keywords: Liver metastasis; Spleno-Mesenteric-Portal Vein (SMPV); Superior mesenteric artery (SMA)