Markedly elevated serum CA 19-9 levels in a case of chronic pancreatitis

Can J Surg. 1995 Feb;38(1):83-6.

Abstract

Serum levels of carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 exceeding 1000 U/mL are considered highly specific for pancreatic cancer and have not been reported in nonmalignant pancreatic disease. A young man with obstructive jaundice, a serum CA 19-9 level of 2350 U/mL and a mass in the head of the pancreas, seen on computed tomography, was found to have chronic pancreatitis without malignant disease. This case demonstrates that a markedly elevated serum level of CA 19-9 can occur in nonmalignant pancreatic disease and emphasizes the need for a histologic diagnosis of malignancy even if the clinical diagnosis of pancreatic cancer seems certain.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • CA-19-9 Antigen / blood*
  • Cholestasis / etiology
  • Chronic Disease
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pancreatitis / blood*
  • Pancreatitis / complications

Substances

  • CA-19-9 Antigen