Use of cyst fluid CEA, CA19-9, and amylase for evaluation of pancreatic lesions

Objectives: The study goals were development of reference intervals and an interpretive algorithm for pancreatic cyst fluid tumor markers. Design and methods: 442 pancreatic cyst fluids were tested for CEA, CA19-9, and amylase. Results: CEAN30 ng/mL discriminates mucinous from non-mucinous cysts. After CEA analysis, amylase and CA19-9 segregate non-mucinous and mucinous subtypes, respectively. Conclusions: Pancreatic cyst fluid tumor markers supplement other diagnostic measures. This study provides estimated reference intervals and an algorithm for interpretation. (C) 2009 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.