CA19-9 serum levels predict micrometastases in patients with gastric cancer
Article Category: Research Article
Published Online: Apr 23, 2016
Page range: 204 - 211
Received: Oct 04, 2014
Accepted: May 09, 2015
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/raon-2015-0025
Keywords
© 2016 Radiol Oncol
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Background
We explored the prognostic value of the up-regulated carbohydrate antigen (CA19-9) in node-negative patients with gastric cancer as a surrogate marker for micrometastases.
Patients and methods
Micrometastases were determined using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) for a subgroup of 30 node-negative patients. This group was used to determine the cut-off for preoperative CA19-9 serum levels as a surrogate marker for micrometastases. Then 187 node-negative T1 to T4 patients were selected to validate the predictive value of this CA19-9 threshold.
Results
Patients with micrometastases had significantly higher preoperative CA19-9 serum levels compared to patients without micrometastases (
Conclusions
Preoperative CA19-9 serum levels can be used to predict higher risk for haematogenous spread and micrometastases in node-negative patients. However, CA19-9 serum levels lack the necessary sensitivity and specificity to reliably predict micrometastases.