Comparative role of tumor marker CA 242 and CA 19.9 in various pancreatic lesions

Abstract

The pancreas has important endocrine and exocrine function and diseases of it causes significant morbidity and mortality. Diseases of the pancreas thus remain a continuing source of frustration in modern medicine. Clinical parameters have their limitations in diagnosing such lesions. Radiological evaluation also helps in diagnosing these lesions but to a certain extent. A good tumor marker is the answer to these problems. There are two tumor markers CA 242 and CA 19.9 which will not only help in early diagnosis of various pancreatic lesions, but also in differentiating them into neoplastic & non-neoplastic lesions. 100 patients of various pancreatic lesions were evaluated prospectively having USG confirmed pancreatic lesions, unexplained pancreatitis, pancreatic mass or pancreatic cystic lesion or worrisome clinical, imaging (CECT/USG) or laboratory findings.Serum tumor marker CA 242 is more specific (100%) than CA 19.9(75%) and CA 19.9(71.9%) is more sensitive than CA 242(70.1%) in patients of various pancreatic lesions. While combined serum tumor marker CA 19.9 and CA 242 was more sensitive (70.5%) and specific (100%) than CA 19.9 and CA 242 alone. For detection of various pancreatic lesions by serum tumor marker CA 19.9 and CA 242, the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value increases if markers are used in combination (serum tumor marker CA 19.9 and CA 242).