RESUMO
In this communication, the values of serum CA-50 in a series of patients with benign and malignant GI diseases are reported. It was found that CA-50 was positive in 86.7% of 30 pancreatic cancer patients with an average level of 427.53U/ml, which was statistically different from that found in non-malignant control group. In this series serum CA-50 determination helped to confirm the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in 6 cases, in which B-mode ultrasono-graphy failed to make a definite diagnosis, and in another 3 cases CT scanning was unable to disclose the tumor. The combination of CA-50, B-mode ultrasonography, and CT made definite diagnosis in 100% of all 30 pancreatic cancer patients. The author discussed the significance of CA-50 determination in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.