TPS and CA 19-9 measurements in the follow-up of patients with pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis

• Published in: The International journal of biological markers 2004-04, Vol.19 (2), p.115-119
• Main Authors: SLESAK, B, HARLOZINSKA-SZMYRKA, A, KNAST, W, SEDLACZEK, P, EINARSSON, R, VAN DALEN, A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analytical, structural and metabolic biochemistry; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers, Tumor - blood; CA-19-9 Antigen - blood; Cohort Studies; Follow-Up Studies; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Liver. Biliary tract. Portal circulation. Exocrine pancreas; Medical sciences; Molecular biophysics; Neoplasm Metastasis; Pancreatic Neoplasms - blood; Pancreatic Neoplasms - mortality; Pancreatitis - blood; Pancreatitis - complications; Peptides - blood; ROC Curve; Time Factors; Tumors
• ISSN: 0393-6155; 1724-6008
• DOI: 10.1177/172460080401900205

The aim of this study was to assess the value of TPS and CA 19-9 in a long-term follow-up analysis of 11 patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) and 15 patients with pancreatic cancer (PC). In all monitored patients with chronic pancreatitis the initial TPS level was below 200 U/L, whereas CA 19-9 was elevated in two of them. In one patient a dramatic increase in the TPS concentration (820 U/L) was measured at the last follow-up visit (after 8.6 months), which led to the detection of PC. In all patients with PC the preoperative TPS level exceeded 200 U/L, whereas CA 19-9 was elevated in only nine patients. After the Kausch-Whipple operation 11 patients showed no evidence of disease and in eight of these patients both TPS and CA 19-9 were within the reference range; however, in three patients liver metastases were detected after 8-24 months from the last tumor marker measurement. In four of the 15 patients both markers were elevated at the end of the follow-up period and distant metastases were clinically confirmed. Our results indicate that in patients with CP and PC undergoing long-term follow-up, TPS reflects the clinical status of patients more accurately than CA 19-9.