CA 19 –9 predicts resectability of pancreatic cancer even in jaundiced patients

Surgical resection remains the only curative option for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Despite recent improvements in medical imaging, unresectability is still often discovered at the time of surgery. It is essential to identify unresectable patients preoperatively to avoid unnecessary surgery. High serum CA 19-9 levels have been suggested as a marker of unresectability but considered inaccurate in patients with hyperbilirubinemia.
Source: Pancreatology - Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Source Type: research