Tumor markers in pancreatic cancer--current concepts.

The array of tumor-associated antigens has recently been extended by introducing new mucin-like antigens, i.e. CA 19-9, CA 50, DU-PAN-2, TAG 72/CA 72-4 and Span-1 into gastroenterological oncology. In the case of pancreatic cancer in particular, preoperative staging, postoperative prognosis, and follow-up has been improved considerably by determinations of these new tumor markers. Yet, despite their irrelevance to screening procedures they may also contribute to the differential diagnosis between benign and neoplastic pancreatic diseases in certain conditions.