Predictive Values of Preoperative Markers for Resectable Pancreatic Body and Tail Cancer Determined by MDCT to Detect Occult Metastases

Background To evaluate the clinical value of preoperative markers in predicting occult metastases in resectable pancreatic body and tail cancer judged by a recent multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scan of the abdomen. Methods The data from a retrospective collected database from 2010 to 2019 with 699 patients who had MDCT scan predicted resectable mass in pancreatic body and tail and were pathological confirmed as adenocarcinoma after surgery. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted for serum CA19-9, CA125, CEA and tumor size measured by MDCT. The optimal cut-off point-related sensitivity and specificity were calculated, respectively. Results Occult metastases were found in 73 (73/699, 10.4%) pancreatic body and tail cancer patients underwent exploration. The area under curve (AUC) for CA19-9, CA125, CEA and tumor size were 0.624, 0.733, 0.561 and 0.697, respectively. The optimal cut-off for CA19-9, CA125 and tumor size is 226 U/ml, 22.1 U/ml and 3.3 cm, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of CA19-9 for predicting occult metastases were 67.1% and 60.4%, 72.6% and 64.7% for CA125, 80.8% and 51.4% for tumor size. Conclusion CA125 is superior to CA19-9 and tumor size for predicting occulting metastases in MDCT scan suggested resectable pancreatic body and tail cancer. The high level of CA125 (>= 22.1 U/ml) is regarded as high risk for occulting metastases, and laparoscopy should be applied for these patients.

Automated summary

The study suggests that CA125 is more effective than CA19-9 and tumor size in predicting occult metastases in resectable pancreatic body and tail cancer indicated by MDCT scans. A high level of CA125 (>=22.1 U/ml) is considered a risk factor for occult metastases, suggesting laparoscopy for these patients.