Abstract
The tumor marker CA 19-9 is based on monoclonal antibody to colonic carcinoma cell lines. In this study, the utility of the tumor marker in the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma was evaluated. CA 19-9 is strongly expressed in most tissue specimens obtained from pancreatic carcinomas. However, this antigen is also found in normal pancreas and specimens from chronic pancreatitis. The CA 19-9 is released into the circulation, and was found at increased concentration (> 37 U/ml) in 87% of the patients with pancreatic carcinoma N = 145, as compared with only 13% in the group of patients with benign diseases n = 1,081 and 29% of those with extrapancreatic malignancies n = 691 (P < 0.0001). The preoperatively raised CA 19-9 concentration in patients with stage I pancreatic carcinoma decreases after curative resection of the carcinoma to values wtihin the normal range. However, in no CA 19-9 estimation following palliative surgical intervention of stage III and IV patients or in cases of inoperable carcinomas was a serum concentration of less than 37 U/ml recorded. Accordingly, the median survival of stage I patients was 29 months, and of stage III, IV and patients with inoperable carcinomas 6 months only.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 419-423 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Hepato-Gastroenterology |
Volume | 36 |
Issue number | 6 |
Publication status | Published - Dec 1 1989 |
Keywords
- extrapancreatic malignancies
- pancreatic cancer
- pancreatitis
- tumor marker
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Hepatology
- Gastroenterology