Expression of mucin-like carcinoma-associated antigen in the cyst fluid differentiates mucinous from nonmucinous pancreatic cysts.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

Differential diagnosis of pancreatic cystic lesions may be difficult: the main problem is to distinguish mucinous neoplasms from nonmucinous cysts. We evaluated the usefulness of the mucin-like carcinoma-associated antigen (MCA) in the fluid of pancreatic cysts for detecting mucinous neoplasms. Results were compared with those of CA 15-3, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and CA 72-4 fluid content, and cytology.

METHODS:

Twenty-four pancreatic cyst fluids were collected from 10 pseudocysts, eight mucinous cystic tumors, and six serous cystadenomas.

RESULTS:

MCA was elevated in seven of eight mucinous tumors (sensitivity 87.5%, specificity 100%). A significant difference was found between MCA levels in mucinous neoplasms versus pseudocysts (p = 0.0003) and serous cystadenomas (p = 0.001). Mean MCA levels were higher (133.7 U/ml) in mucinous cystadenocarcinomas than in cystadenomas (37.5 U/ml). The sensitivity of CA 15-3, CEA, and CA 72-4 in detecting mucinous neoplasms was 50, 87.5, and 87.5%, respectively, with a specificity of 94%, 44%, and 94%, respectively. Cytology showed mucinous epithelial cells in only four of eight mucinous neoplasms, with a specificity of 100%.

CONCLUSIONS:

These data suggest that MCA determination in the cyst fluid is a promising new tumor marker for the preoperative diagnosis of mucinous cystic neoplasms of the pancreas.

• Authors: C Sperti, C Pasquali, S Pedrazzoli, P Guolo, G Liessi
• Journal: The American journal of gastroenterology (Am J Gastroenterol) Vol. 92 Issue 4 Pg. 672-5 (Apr 1997) ISSN: 0002-9270 [Print] United States
• PMID: 9128321 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antigens, Neoplasm
• Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate
• Biomarkers, Tumor
• CA-72-4 antigen
• Carcinoembryonic Antigen
• Mucin-1
• Mucins
• mucinous carcinoma-associated antigen

Topics

• Antigens, Neoplasm (analysis)
• Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate (analysis)
• Biomarkers, Tumor (analysis)
• Carcinoembryonic Antigen (analysis)
• Cystadenoma, Mucinous (diagnosis)
• Cystadenoma, Serous (diagnosis)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Mucin-1 (analysis)
• Mucins (analysis)
• Pancreatic Cyst (diagnosis)
• Pancreatic Neoplasms (diagnosis)
• Pancreatic Pseudocyst (diagnosis)
• Retrospective Studies
• Sensitivity and Specificity