The value of serum CA 19-9 in predicting cholangiocarcinomas in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis

Cynthia Levy, James Lymp, Paul Angulo, Gregory J. Gores, Nicholas Larusso, Keith D. Lindor

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

228 Scopus citations

Abstract

CA 19-9 has been used with questionable accuracy to aid diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma complicating primary sclerosing cholangitis. We aimed to characterize the test properties of CA 19-9 and of a change in CA 19-9 over time in predicting cholangiocarcinoma. Charts of 208 patients were reviewed. Fourteen patients had cholangiocarcinoma. Median CA 19-9 was higher with cholangiocarcinoma (15 vs. 290 U/ml, p < 0.0001). A cutoff of 129 U/ml provided: sensitivity 78.6%, specificity 98.5%, adjusted positive predictive value 56.6% and negative predictive value 99.4%. The median change over time was 664 U/ml in cholangiocarcinoma compared to 6.7 U/ml in primary sclerosing cholangitis alone (p < 0.0001). A cutoff of 63.2 U/ml for change in CA 19-9 provided: sensitivity 90%, specificity 98% and positive predictive value 42%. Only 2 patients with cholangiocarcinoma were the candidates for curative therapy. In conclusion, the positive predictive value of an elevated CA 19-9 was 56.6%; only advanced cases were detected by this method.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1734-1740
Number of pages7
JournalDigestive diseases and sciences
Volume50
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2005

Keywords

  • Biliary tract malignancy
  • Carbohydrate 19-9
  • Cholangiocarcinoma
  • Primary sclerosing cholangitis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology
  • Gastroenterology

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