The Role of Ca 19-9, Ca 72-4, Cea and Cholesterol Levels in Predicting Malignancy in Gallbladder Polyps

To determine the association of malignancy potential of gallbladder polyps with tumor markers and cholesterol levels, and at which value the presence of malignancy should be suspected.

Observational study.

University of Health Sciences, Adana City training and research Hospital from December 2017 to November 2020.

Ninety patients diagnosed with gallbladder polyp by abdominal ultrasonography, were included in the study. Patients were divided into subgroups of true pseudopolyp, cholesterol-non-cholesterolpolyp, malignant-non-malignant polyp. The groups were compared in terms of age, gender, polyp size, number of polyps, preoperative total cholesterol, HDL (high-density lipoprotein), LDL (low-density lipoprotein), triglyceride, Ca 19-9 (carbohydrate antigen 19-9), Ca 72-4 (carbohydrate antigen 72-4), Cea (carcinoembryonic antigen) levels.

In the true polyp group, polyp size, Ca 19-9, Ca 72-4 and Cea median values were significantly higher (p=0.001, p=0.029, p=0.003, and p=0.007, respectively); whereas, triglyceride levels were significantly lower compared to the pseudopolyp group (p=0.002). Polyp size was significantly lower in cholesterol polyp group compared to non-cholesterol polyp group (p= 0.032), and LDL and triglyceride medians were significantly higher (p=0.031, and p<0.001) in cholesterol group. Among the true polyps, polyp size, Ca 19-9, Ca 72-4 and Cea levels were significantly higher in adenocarcinoma group than non-malignant polyp groups (p<0.05). Cut-off values were determined as >11 mm AUC: 0.906 for size, >24.1 U/mL. AUC: 1.00 for Ca 19-9, >9.6 U/mL AUC: 1.00 for Ca 72-4, and >40 ng/mL AUC: 0.984 for CEA, respectively.

Polyps larger than 11mm with high levels of CEA, Ca 72-4, Ca 19-9, evaluated together, may act as a guide for the clinician in predicting malignancy. The availability of economical and accessible parameters may allow a new algorithm to be developed in the treatment and follow-up approach of gallbladder polyps. Key Words: Gallbladder polpys, Ca 19-9 antigen, Ca 72-4 antigen, Tumor marker, Gallbladder cancer.