Significance of Serum CA19-9 Detection in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer

Objective: To evaluate the serum tumor markers in the diagnosis and following up of pancreatic cancer. Methods: We detected tumor markers CA19-9, CA 242 and CEA in 34 patients with pancreatic cancer. Results: Among these tumor markers, CA19-9 was the best diagnostic index; its sensitivity and specificity were 79.4% and 85.0%, respectively. The sensitivity of combined assay was 88.2%. Conclusion: These results suggest that combined assay of tumor markers is helpful in the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.