Diagnostic Role of Serum CA 19-9 for Cholangiocarcinoma in Patients With Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

J. CHRISTOPHER NICHOLS, GREGORY J. GORES, NICHOLAS F. LARUSSO, RUSSELL H. WIESNER, DAVID M. NAGORNEY, ROY E. RITTS

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190 Scopus citations

Abstract

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) predisposes to the development of cholangiocarcinoma, a usually fatal complication that is difficult to diagnose. Serum concentrations of CA 19-9, a tumor-associated antigen, are frequently increased in patients with only cholangiocarcinoma. The aim of this study was to assess the value of an increased serum CA 19-9 level for the diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma in patients with preexisting PSC. We analyzed serum samples from 9 patients with PSC and superimposed cholangiocarcinoma and from 28 patients with only PSC. Serum concentrations of CA 19-9 were measured in a blinded manner with use of an immunoradiometric assay. The serum CA 19-9 concentrations were increased in 8 of 9 patients (89%) with PSC and cholangiocarcinoma (mean ± SE, 391 ± 86 U/ml; range, 4 to 677), whereas they were increased in only 4 of 28 patients (14%) with only PSC (mean ± SE, 61 ± 16 U/ml; range, 2 to 370). The sensitivity of a CA 19-9 value greater than 100 U/ml for cholangiocarcinoma in PSC was 89%, and the specificity was 86%. The measurement of serum concentrations of CA 19-9 is a promising test for detecting cholangiocarcinoma in patients with PSC.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)874-879
Number of pages6
JournalMayo Clinic proceedings
Volume68
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - 1993

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine(all)

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