[Role of the tumor markers CA 19-9 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of pancreatic cancer].

The investigation was concerned with diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and effectiveness of assay of CA 19-9 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in the choice of treatment modality and evaluation of therapy pancreatic carcinoma (PC). Either marker has been studied in 685 examinations for PC, 68--chronic pseudotumorous pancreatitis and 24--intestinal cancer at other sites since 1995. Tumor resection for PC was carried out in 31; conservative treatment--67; chemotherapy--56 and radiotherapy--in 29 cases. In CA 19-9 examinations, diagnostic sensitivity was 90.2; specificity--72.1 and effectiveness--85.3%, while in CEA determinations, 82.5; 30.9 and 68.5%, respectively. CA 19-9 and CEA levels proved to be prognostic factors of survival. An inverse correlation was observed between median survival and tumor marker concentrations: higher basal (preoperative) level of marker in blood was matched by lower median survival. A similar relationship was identified for CEA: 5-10--14.2 months; 10.1-20 ng/ml--8.0 months; 20.1-30 ng/ml--3.9 months, and more than 30 ng/ml--4.8 months. There was a direct correlation between CA 19-9 level and tumor stage. The dynamics of tumor markers, particularly, CA 19-9 correlated with treatment effectiveness during its course.