Tumor markers in pancreatic cancer: a comparative clinical study between CEA, CA 19-9 and CA 50

Seventy-eight patients were evaluated to ascertain the usefulness of markers CA 19-9 and CA 50 in diagnosing pancreatic cancer, using a less specific marker (CEA) as reference. Three groups were considered: a) 36 controls; b) 22 patients with benign obstructive jaundice; c) 20 patients with pancreatic cancer. Preoperative blood samples were obtained to ascertain CEA (E.I.A.), CA 19-9 (R.I.A.) and CA 50 (T.R.-F.I.A.). Serum concentrations of the various markers were significantly higher for patients with pancreatic cancer in comparison with the other groups, at cut-offs of 10 ng/ml (CEA), 100 ng/ml (CA 19-9) and 170 U/ml (CA 50). The sensitivity of CA 19-9 (94%) and CA 50 (88%) was much greater than that of CEA (30%). The specificity of the three markers in patients with pancreatic cancer, with respect to the control group, was 100% and this figure is reduced with respect to the group suffering from benign obstructive jaundice (CEA: 90%; CA 19-9: 88% and CA 50: 87%). Diagnostic results (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (P.P.V.) and negative predictive value (N.P.V.] did not significantly increase with respect to CA 19-9 and CA 50 when considered individually. It is concluded that the serum concentrations of CA 19-9 and CA 50 showed high sensitivity and specificity as markers of pancreatic cancer with respect to the other groups, pointing towards clinical routine clinical use of both markers. In addition, a comparative study of the literature has been made and prospects for short-term development and concrete applications for early and reliable diagnosis have been highlighted.