Tumor markers carbohydrate antigens CA 19-9 and CA-50 and carcinoembryonic antigen in pancreatic cancer and benign diseases of the pancreatobiliary tract
Harmenberg, U.; Wahren, B.; Wiechel, K.L.
Cancer Research 48(7): 1985-1988
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0008-5472 PMID: 3349472 Document Number: 325683
Sera from patients with diseases in the pancreas, gallbladder, and bile duct were analyzed for the tumor markers CA 19-9, CA-50, and carcinoembryonic antigen. In particular CA 19-9 and CA-50 appear to be valuable in differentiating malignant from benign disease in these organs. Our sample of 72 patients with pancreatic cancer also indicates that CA 19-9 and CA-50 complement each other in 21% of the cases. They are also shown to be reliable for monitoring disease: following radical surgery for pancreatic cancer low levels of CA 19-9 and CA-50 were noted, while progressive rises of these tumor markers were related to disease progression.