Serum CA 19-9 and CEA Levels as a Prognostic Factor in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

PURPOSE: To investigate the use of pretreatment carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) as prognostic factors to determine survival in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of the medical records of patients who were diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma and received surgery, chemoradiotherapy or chemotherapy was performed. Factors, including CA 19-9 and CEA, associated with the survival of pancreatic cancer patients were analyzed. RESULTS: Patients with the median age of 65 years were included (n=187). Elevated serum CA 19-9 levels and CEA levels were observed in 75.4% and 39% of patients at diagnosis, respectively. CEA was correlated with tumor stages (p=0.005), but CA 19-9 was not. CA 19-9 and CEA were elevated in 69.0% and 33.3% of patients with resectable pancreatic cancer, and elevated in 72.9% and 47.2% of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, respectively. The median overall survival of the normal serum CEA group was longer than that of the elevated serum CEA group (16.3 months vs. 10.2 months, p=0.004). However, the median overall survival of the normal serum CA 19-9 group was not different from that of the elevated serum CA 19-9 group (12.4 months vs. 13.5 months, p=0.969). The independent factors associated with overall survival were advanced pancreatic cancer [harzard ratio (HR) 4.33, p=0.001] and elevated serum CEA level (HR 1.52, p=0.032). CONCLUSION: Patients with elevated serum CEA level at diagnosis demonstrated poor overall survival. Pretreatment CEA level may predict the prognosis of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Hepatic abscess mimicking hepatocellular carcinoma in a patient with alcoholic liver disease

No abstract available.

Serum CA-125 in ectopic pregnancy

CA-125 is a glycoprotein, its origin is uncertain during pregnancy. It rises during the first trimester and returns to a non-pregnancy range in late pregnancy. To compare CA-125 levels between tubal ectopic and normal intrauterine pregnancy, and to find it's usefulness in differentiating intact from ruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy. This prospective case-control study was carried out on sixty healthy women with single normal intrauterine pregnancy [NIUP] of 6-10 weeks gestation and sixty women with tubal ectopic pregnancy of same gestational age which were further subdivided into twenty-five women with ruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy [REP] and thirty-five women with unruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy [UREP]. The levels of CA-125 were compared between these groups. The mean level of CA-125 in ruptured ectopic pregnancy group was 49.04 +/- 33.63 IU/ml and in unruptured ectopic pregnancy group was 24.3 +/- 16.89 IU/ml. The mean level of CA-125 in normal pregnant women [control group] was 53.95 +/- 31.2 IU/ml. There was a statistically significant difference between mean serum CA-125 levels of ruptured ectopic pregnancy and unruptured ectopic pregnancy group [p< 0.05], also there was a statistically significant difference between mean of CA-125 level of unruptured ectopic pregnancy group and control group [p <0.05], while there was no statistically significant difference between ruptured ectopic pregnancy group and control group [p > 0.05]. CA-125 level is significantly elevated in ruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy than the intact tubal ectopic pregnancy, this increase in CA-125 levels can be used as additional test to identify tubal rupture.

Relationship between peripheral and mesenteric serum levels of CEA and CA 242 with staging and histopathological variables in colorectal adenocarcinoma / Níveis séricos periféricos e mesentéricos de CEA e CA 242, estadiamento e variáveis histopatológicas no adenocarcinoma colorretal

PURPOSE: To compare histopathological variables and staging in colorectal adenocarcinoma cases with CEA and CA 242 in peripheral and mesenteric blood. METHODS: In 169 individuals underwent surgery for colorectal cancer, CEA and CA 242 were analyzed and compared to mesenteric and peripheral blood and correlated with macroscopic tumor's morphology and size, degree of cell differentiation, venous, neural and lymphatic involvement and TNM classification. RESULTS: There was a difference between the mesenteric (M) and peripheral (P) serum levels of CEA (p=0.020). Higher levels of markers were correlated with venous invasion CEA (P) p=0.013, CEA (M) p=0.05, CA 242 (M) p=0.005 and CA 242 (P) p=0.038; with advanced staging CEA (P) < CEA (M) (p < 0.05); CA 242 (P) < CA 242 (M) (p < 0.05); and with greater dimensions CEA (P) < CEA (M) (p < 0.001); CA 242 (P) < CA 242 (M) (p < 0.001). CA 242 became higher with neural invasion (P): p=0.014, (M): p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: There were higher mesenteric than peripheral levels of CEA. Both mesenteric and peripheral levels of CEA and CA 242 were higher in neoplasm with venous involvement, greater diameter and advanced stages. There was a correlation between CA 242 and neural invasion.

OBJETIVO: Comparar variáveis histopatológicas e graus de estadiamento do adenocarcinoma colorretal com níveis sanguíneos periféricos e mesentéricos de CEA e CA-242. MÉTODOS: Em 169 doentes submetidos ao tratamento cirúrgico por adenocarcinoma colorretal, CEA e CA-242 foram analisados e comparados quanto aos níveis sanguíneos periféricos e mesentéricos e correlacionados com o tamanho e a morfologia macroscópica do tumor, grau de diferenciação celular, invasões venosa, linfática, neural e a classificação TNM. RESULTADOS: Verificou-se diferença significante entre o nível sérico mesentérico e periférico de CEA (p= 0,02). Níveis séricos mais elevados dos marcadores foram observados e correlacionados com invasão venosa, CEA (P) p=0,013, CEA(M), p=0,05, CA-242 (M) p=0,005 e CA-242 (P) p=0,038. Grau de estadiamento TNM avançado foi associado com CEA(P) < CEA(M) p<0,05, CA-242(P) < CA-242(M) p<0,05. Nas maiores dimensões tumorais constatou-se CEA(P) < CEA(M) p=0,001 e CA 242 (P) < CA 242 (M) (p < 0.001). O CA 242 periférico e mesentérico aumentados associaram-se com a invasão neural, p=0.014 e p=0.003, respectivamente. CONCLUSÕES: O nível sérico mesentérico de CEA é superior ao nível sérico periférico. Os níveis séricos mesentéricos e periféricos do CEA e do CA-242 são mais elevados no adenocarcinoma com invasão venosa, de maior diâmetro e de estadios avançados. Existe uma associação entre o nível sérico do Ca-242 e a invasão neural.

CA72-4 antigen levels in serum and peritoneal washing in gastric cancer: correlation with morphological aspects of neoplasia

BACKGROUND: Determining levels of tumor markers in peritoneal washing enables likelihood of peritoneal recurrence to be ascertained in patients with high marker levels, thereby allowing provision of more accurate adjuvant treatment and postoperative follow up. AIM: To analyze the relationship between levels of tumor marker CA72-4 in serum and peritoneal washing, and morphological aspects of gastric carcinoma. METHOD: This study analyzed 32 consecutively-operated patients with gastric carcinoma, who underwent subtotal, total or palliative gastrectomy. The variables studied were CA72-4 levels in serum and peritoneal washing, lesion site, stage, degree of cell differentiation, operation performed, and number of extirpated and involvement lymph nodes. Of the 32 patient sample, 21 (65.6 percent) were male and 11 (34.4 percent) female. Mean age was 62.6 ± 14.2 years (29 to 91 years). Following anesthetic induction, peripherical venous blood was collected through percutaneous punction of an upper limb vein. After the procedure, 50 mL of physiologic solution at 37ºC was introduced into the cul-de-sac. A 10 mL volume of this liquid was aspirated from the cavity and the peritoneal washing tested for CA72-4 levels. Normal values for CA72-4 levels in serum were considered <7 U/mL and high levels as >7U/mL, whilst for the peritoneal washing normal levels were <0.61 U/mL, and abnormal >0.61 U/mL. RESULTS: Mean pre-operative serum levels for CA72-4 were 6.55 U/mL ± 15.30 (0.3 to 75.30 U/mL) whilst the mean level of CA72-4 in peritoneal washing was 8.50 U/mL ± 26.72 (0.3 to 142.00 U/mL); correlation between these levels was significant. Lymph nodes involvement by the gastric carcinoma correlated significantly with higher CA72-4 levels in both serum and peritoneal wash. There was no statistically significant correlation between serum level of CA72-4 and invasion into serosa by the gastric carcinoma. There was however, significant...

RACIONAL: A determinação dos níveis de marcadores tumorais no lavado peritonial apresenta a possibilidade de indicar tendência à recidiva peritonial nos doentes com níveis elevados, o que pode indicar tratamento adjuvante e seguimento pós-operatório mais acurado. OBJETIVO: Analisar a relação entre os níveis do marcador tumoral CA72-4 no sangue e no lavado peritonial e os aspectos morfológicos do carcinoma gástrico. MÉTODO: Foram analisados 32 doentes operados consecutivamente, com carcinoma gástrico e submetidos a gastrectomia subtotal, total ou paliativa. Foram estudadas as seguintes variáveis: nível sérico e no lavado peritonial do CA72-4, localização da lesão, estádio, grau de diferenciação celular, operação realizada, e número de linfonodos extirpados e acometidos. Dos 32 doentes do estudo, 21 (65,6 por cento) eram homens e 11 (34,4 por cento) mulheres. A média de idade foi de 62,6 ± 14,2 anos (29 a 91 anos). Logo após a indução anestésica, o sangue venoso periférico foi coletado por punção percutânea de veia do membro superior. Após o término da operação, 50 mL de solução fisiológica aquecida a 37ºC foi derramado no fundo de saco. Desse líquido, foi aspirado o volume de 10 mL e encaminhado para a determinação do nível do CA72-4 no lavado peritonial. Para o nível sérico do CA72-4 foram considerados normais os valores < a 7 U/mL e elevados os valores > que 7 U/mL. Para o nível no lavado peritonial do CA72-4 foram considerados normais os valores < 0,61 U/mL, e alterados os valores > que 0,61 U/mL. RESULTADOS: média do nível sérico do CA72-4 no pré-operatório foi de 6,55 U/mL ± 15,30 (0,3 a 75,30 U/mL) e a média do nível do CA72-4 no lavado peritonial foi de 8,60 U/mL ± 26,72 (0,3 a 142,00 U/mL); a correlação entre esses níveis foi significativa. O acometimento linfonodal pelo carcinoma gástrico correlacionou-se significantemente com os níveis mais elevados do CA72-4 sérico e peritonial. Não houve diferença significativa...

Diagnostic value of serum CA242, CA 19-9, CA 15-3 and CA 125 in patients with carcinoma of the gallbladder.

BACKGROUND: Tumor markers have an increasing significance in the diagnosis and evaluation of tumor, but their role in gallbladder cancer has not been established. The present study was undertaken to determine the utility of serological markers in carcinoma of the gallbladder (CaGB). METHODS: This study was carried out in 55 cases and 8 healthy controls presenting to a single surgical unit of the University Hospital, Varanasi, India. CA242, CA19-9, CA15-3 and CA125 were assayed preoperatively in serum of patients with carcinoma of the gallbladder (39), cholelithiasis (16) and healthy controls (8) using ELISA technique. RESULTS: Mean concentration of all tumor markers was significantly raised in carcinoma of the gallbladder when compared with cholelithiasis. CA 242 was 12.10 vs 42.19 u/ ml, CA19-9 was 211.27 vs 86.06 uml, CA 15-3 was 71.42 vs 1.93u/ml and CA125 was 253.61 vs 65.5 u/ml <0.05). Sensitivity and specificity were calculated at various cut off points. Significant changes in CAl9-9 and CA242 occurred with advanced stage (p <0.05) and grade of tumor (p<0.00 1). When two tumor markers were combined, like CA242 and CA125, sensitivity and specificity improved to 87.5% and 85.7% respectively. Diagnostic accuracy is highest with a combination of CA 19-9 and CA 125 (80.65%). However, combination of tumor markers did not improve any further sensitivity or specificity of markers. CONCLUSION: Assay of CA242, CA15-3, CA19-9 and CA 125 are fairly good markers for discriminating patients of carcinoma of the gallbladder from cholelithiasis. CA242 and CA125 when used together achieved best sensitivity and specificity. Serum markers seem to be less sensitive when used individually in carcinoma of the gallbladder but may prove useful in combination.

Preliminary clinical evaluation of a protein chip for tumor marker serodiagnosis of various cancers.

This preliminary study aimed to investigate sensitivity and specificity of a protein chip system for multi-tumor marker serodiagnosis of ten types of cancers, and to understand the possible clinical applications of this protein chip for the Thai population. The specific cancers diagnosed by this protein chip are lung, breast, liver, cervix, colo-rectal, stomach, ovary, esophagus, prostate and pancreas cancers. We analyzed 215 serum samples of which 165 were obtained from clinically confirmed cancer patients and 50 from healthy people with no evidence of cancer. The sensitivity and specificity of the protein chip were 82.4% and 94.0%, respectively. The success rate of the protein chip for detecting all 10 types of cancers varied from 57% to 100%. The value of the simultaneous measurement of multiple tumor markers using the protein chip for cancer screening lied in the higher sensitivity compared to using single tumor markers for each type of cancer. In short, protein chips may be useful in mass screening for cancer during health checkups as well as for metastasis follow-up of cancer patients.

Marcadores tumorais no câncer de mama / Tumors markers in breast cancer

Os marcadores tumorais representariam a possibilidade de se obter uma avaliaçäo da progressäo da doença e de seu tratamento de maneira simples, objetiva e específica. O marcador tumoral sérico ideal deveria apresentar alta especificidade e sensibilidade, o que ainda näo é disponível para o câncer de mama. Quatro tipos principais de marcadores séricos säo disponíveis: antígeneos de mucina (CA 15-3, CA 549, MUCI, entre outros), citoqueratinas (TPA, TPS), antígeno carcinoembriônico (CEA) e produtos séricos de oncogene (c-erbB2). A aplicabilidade clínica é limitada pela identificaçäo dos marcadores tumorais em pacientes com câncer em outros sítios primários, em doenças benignas e em pessoas sadias, sendo possível sua utilizaçäo no seguimento das pacientes tratadas e livres da doença, e no monitoramento do tratamento. Os antígenos de mucina säo os mais sensíveis para o carcinoma da mama, especialmente o CA 15-3. A combinaçäo do CEA com um marcador de mucina parece ser a maneira que apresenta maior sensibilidade no seguimento clínico no câncer de mama