Tumor markers carbohydrate antigens CA 19-9 and CA-50 and carcinoembryonic antigen in pancreatic cancer and benign diseases of the pancreatobiliary tract.

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.