血清CA19-9联合降钙素原对胆总管结石继发急性胆管炎的诊断价值

目的探讨血清CA19-9联合降钙素原(PCT)对胆总管结石继发急性胆管炎的临床诊断价值。方法回顾性分析2012年6月-2018年6月遵义医科大学第三附属医院收治的764例胆总管结石患者的临床资料,根据是否继发急性胆管炎分为胆管炎组(173例)和非胆管炎组(591例)。计量资料2组间比较采用t检验,计数资料2组间采用χ2检验。对具有统计学差异的指标构建受试者工作特征曲线(ROC曲线),并计算各指标的临界值、敏感度和特异度。结果胆管炎组CRP、PCT、CA19-9较非胆管炎组明显升高[(30. 14±4. 25) mg/L vs (78. 24±8. 02) mg/L,t=3. 730,P=0. 038;(0. 21±0. 06) ng/ml vs (2. 25±0. 21) ng/ml,t=9. 297,P 0. 001;(24. 15±3. 87) kU/L vs (87. 52±7. 95) kU/L,t=26. 35,P 0. 001]。血清PCT、CA19-9、CRP对应ROC曲线下面积分别为0. 907、0. 825和0. 643,敏感度分别为82. 4%、85. 2%和69. 2%,特异度分别为86. 1%、80. 5%和54. 3%; CRP的ROC曲线下面积0. 7,无诊断价值。血清CA19-9+PCT联合诊断的敏感度为97. 11%,特异度为98. 65%,漏诊率为2. 89%,误诊率为1. 35%。结论血清CA19-9及PCT对胆总管结石继发急性胆管炎具有重要的早期预测价值,且两者联合检测特异度及敏感度均明显升高,可作为急性胆管炎的诊断指标。     

血清糖链抗原19-9对梗阻性黄疸患者发生急性胆管炎的预测价值

目的探讨梗阻性黄疸患者发生急性胆管炎的预测因子。方法回顾性分析海口市第四人民医院2010年10月-2015年10月收治的358例胆总管结石合并梗阻性黄疸患者的临床资料。根据患者是否发生急性胆管炎,分为急性胆管炎组(n=223)和梗阻性黄疸组(n=135)。比较两组患者的年龄、性别和合并症,评估血清肿瘤标志物及肝功能指标的异常与急性胆管炎发生的关系。计量资料组间比较采用t检验,计数资料组间比较采用χ2检验。选取有统计学意义的指标构建受试者工作特征曲线(ROC),评价其对急性胆管炎诊断的敏感度和特异度。结果急性胆管炎组血清糖链抗原(CA)19-9、CA12-5水平明显高于梗阻性黄疸组[(82.33±23.01)k U/L vs(36.75±12.58)k U/L,(30.21±9.59)k U/L vs(18.62±5.27)k U/L],差异均有统计学意义(t值分别为11.028、8.597,P值均0.001)。ROC曲线分析显示,血清CA19-9、CA12-5曲线下面积分别为0.891、0.705,对应诊断准确度最高的临界值分别为61.01 k U/L、22.56 k U/L,敏感度分别为82.1%、77.6%,特异度分别为79.8%、69.5%。结论血清CA19-9升高对胆总管结石合并梗阻性黄疸发生急性胆管炎有较大的预测价值。     

血清CA19-9水平在胆总管结石中的临床意义

目的 分析血清CA19-9水平在胆总管结石患者中的临床意义.方法 60例经ERCP证实为胆总管结石的患者,对血清CA19-9水平进行分析.结果 26例患者CA199水平正常,占43%;34例患者的血清CA19-9水平升高,占57%,其中4例CA19-9水平>1 000 U/mL,年龄均>65岁,合并有严重的化脓性胆管炎或重症胰腺炎.15例CA19-9升高的患者在ERCP术后复查了血清CA19-9水平,结石取出后血清CA19-9水平明显下降.结论 胆总管结石患者血清CA19-9水平升高可作为预测胆管炎症程度的指标,尤其是在老年人群中.     

血清CA199对继发性急性胆管炎的早期预判价值

目的探讨异常血清肿瘤标记物对胆总管结石梗阻性黄疸继发急性胆管炎的诊断价值.方法回顾性分析宁波市北仑区人民医院收治的423例患者临床资料.根据是否继发急性胆管炎,设为胆管炎组和黄疸组,比较两组患者血清肝功能及肿瘤标记物水平,选取有统计学意义指标进一步行受试者工作特征曲线(receiver operating characteristic curve,ROC)分析.结果肝功能指标比较:胆管炎组与黄疸组患者血清谷丙转氨酶、谷草转氨酶、谷氨酰转肽酶、碱性磷酸酶、总胆红素及直接胆红素比较无统计学差异(P0.05).血清肿瘤标记物比较:胆管炎组患者血清糖链抗原199(carbohydrate antigen 199,CA199)及CA125水平明显高于黄疸组(P0.05).胆管炎组与黄疸组患者血清CA153、癌胚抗原及甲胎蛋白比较无统计学差异(P0.05).ROC曲线分析:血清CA199和CA125对应曲线下面积分别为0.845、0.628,诊断准确度最高的临界值分别为50.61、24.08 KU/L,灵敏度分别为78.2%、57.3%,特异度为80.6%、68.4%.结论血清CA199异常升高对胆总管结石梗阻性黄疸继发急性胆管炎有较大的预测性诊断价值,且操作方便、快速,值得应用及推广.     

血清CA19-9水平术前评估胰腺癌可切除性的临床价值

目的 评价血清CA19-9水平在胰腺癌术前可切除性评估中的临床价值.方法 测定52例术前影像学提示有手术切除可能性并经手术活检或术后病理确诊的胰腺癌患者术前血清CA19-9水平,以手术能否切除为金标准,绘制CA19-9的受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线,并以敏感度和特异度之和最大点即曲线左上方作为相应截断点测CA19-9的敏感度、特异度及阳性、阴性预测值.结果 52例胰腺癌患者中手术切除29例(55.8%),未切除23例(44.2%).手术切除组患者血清CA19-9水平为(159.6±170.9)U/ml,未切除组患者为(944.4±773.4)U/ml;CA19-9的ROC曲线下面积0.918(＞0.9),P＜0.01,95%可信区间0.843～0.992,左上方截断点CA19-9值为353.2 U/ml.以此为标准,敏感度93.1%,特异度78.3%,阳、阴性预测值分别为84.4%和90.0%.结论术前血清CA 19-9水平可作为影像学提示有手术切除可能的胰腺癌患者进一步评估的辅助指标.     

CA19-9和IL-33对胰腺癌的临床诊断价值分析

目的评估白细胞介素-33(interleukin-33,IL-33)和糖类抗原19-9(carbohydrate antigen 19-9,CA19-9)对胰腺癌的临床诊断价值。方法选取50例胰腺癌患者、70例胰腺炎患者、50名健康人群作为研究对象,比较3组患者外周血内IL-33和CA19-9水平,评价IL-33和CA19-9单独应用及联合应用对胰腺癌的诊断灵敏度、特异度和准确率,并比较不同病理分期胰腺癌患者外周血内IL-33和CA19-9的水平差异。结果 CA19-9水平超过临界值37 U/ml时对胰腺癌的诊断准确率为96.70%,当超过100 U/ml时诊断准确率有所上升,但超过1 000 U/ml时其诊断精确度却不再上升;当IL-33水平超过临界值50 pg/ml时对胰腺癌的诊断具有较高准确率,且在超过100 pg/ml时有所增长,但超过300 pg/ml时其诊断正确率不再明显上升。CA19-9单独应用诊断胰腺癌的灵敏度、特异性及准确率均高于IL-33,两者联合应用可提高诊断诊断灵敏度和准确性,但特异性略有下降。不同病理分期胰腺癌外周血内的IL-33和CA19-9水平差异均有统计学意义,随着病理程度的严重,IL-33和CA19-9的水平呈上升趋势(P0.05)。结论IL-33和CA19-9对胰腺癌的确诊和病理分期评估均有重要价值,且能弥补影像学诊断胰腺癌的不足,值得临床推广。     

血清 CA19-9 水平在良性胆管疾病患者中的临床意义

背景: CA19-9是临床常用的肿瘤标记物,对胰胆系恶性肿瘤的阳性率较高,但良性胆管疾病中亦常见CA19-9水平升高。目的: 分析血清CA19-9水平在良性胆管疾病患者中的临床意义。方法: 选取2004年10月～2009年5月北京军区总医院的78例经ERCP证实的良性胆管疾病患者(60例胆总管结石和18例胆总管炎性狭窄)。所有患者于ERCP术前行血清CA19-9水平检测,并分析其在良性胆管疾病中的临床意义。结果: 39例(50.0%)患者血清CA19-9水平正常,其中胆总管结石26例(66.7%)。其余39例(50.0%)患者血清CA19-9水平升高,其中胆总管结石34例(87.2%);4例血清CA19-9水平1000U/ml者的年龄均65岁,并合并有严重化脓性梗阻性胆管炎或重症急性胰腺炎。16例血清CA19-9升高者于ERCP术后行复查,多数患者血清CA19-9水平明显下降。结论: 良性胆管疾病患者中血清CA19-9水平可升高,可作为预测胆管炎症程度的指标,尤其是在老年患者中。     

胆管癌患者血清、胆汁中的CA19-9水平ROC曲线分析及临床参考价值评估

目的 探讨血清、胆汁CA19-9水平对胆管癌的早期诊断和鉴别诊断的价值.方法 对82例胆道恶性病变患者和85例胆道良性疾病者测定血清和胆汁的CA19-9水平,进行对比分析和评价.结果 恶性组患者血清、胆汁CA19-9水平均明显高于良性组患者(P＜0.001);胆汁CA19-9诊断胆管癌的ROC曲线下面积为0.764,诊断价值高于血清的0.701;根据诊断评价指标,胆汁CA19-9灵敏度、特异度、符合率、阳性预测值和阴性预测值(57.90％、95.50％、77.25％、92.30％、70.43％)均高于血液CA19-9(50.90％,89.10％,70.66％,82.35％,65.62％),两项联合检测灵敏度、符合率及阴性预测值均有不同程度提高.结论 选择血清、胆汁CA19-9进行联合检测,在胆管癌的早期筛检中具有重要参考价值.     

肿瘤标志物检测在胰腺癌诊断和预后评估中的价值研究

目的评价胰腺癌肿瘤标志物对胰腺癌诊断及预后的影响。方法收集2007年1月至2011年12月沈阳军区总医院胰腺癌住院患者198例,良性胰腺病50例,正常对照组61名。采用放射免疫分析法检测血清肿瘤标志物CA19-9、CA242、CA50、CA125、CEA。分析回访到生存期的120例胰腺癌患者预后影响因素。结果胰腺癌患者肿瘤标志物CA19-9、CA242、CA125明显增高,与正常对照组及良性胰腺病变组比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05);CA19-9、CA242、CA125、CA50和CEA灵敏度分别为80.84%、72.50%、56.67%、56.12%、45.31%,特异度分别为76.80%、69.32%、72.96%、65.33%、57.40%。联合检测灵敏度有提高,但特异度降低。胰腺癌患者中位生存期5.5个月,胰体尾癌及全胰腺癌较胰头癌生存期短,CA19-9、CA242、CA125升高的患者生存期短(P0.05)。多因素Cox比例风险回归分析显示,CA19-9、CA242是独立预后因素(P0.05)。结论胰腺癌血清肿瘤标志物检测有助于胰腺癌的早期诊断。联合检测肿瘤标志物有助于提高对胰腺癌的诊断效率,胰腺体尾部肿瘤、CA19-9、CA242、CA125升高的患者生存期短。CA19-9、CA242是胰腺癌的独立预后因素,有助于评估预后。     

血清CA19-9对肝胆胰疾病的临床诊断价值

目的 观察血清CA19-9在肝胆胰良恶性疾病中的诊断和鉴别诊断价值.方法 回顾性调查2007年7月-2009年12月福建医科大学附属第一医院收治的180例伴有不同程度肝功能异常或胆管梗阻的肝胆胰良恶性疾病患者中血清CA19-9水平,并结合血清胆红素、肝转氨酶进行分析.结果 胰腺癌组和胆管癌组血清CA19-9水平较良性疾病组明显升高,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）,而肝细胞癌组与良性疾病组血清CA19-9水平比较,差异无统计学意义（P =0.143）;在恶性疾病中,胰腺癌组血清CA19-9水平明显高于胆管癌组和肝细胞癌组,差异有统计学意义（P ＜0.001）,胆管癌组则明显高于肝细胞癌组,差异有统计学意义（P=0.003）;血清CA19-9对胰腺癌、胆管癌、肝细胞癌的灵敏度分别为73.5％、53.8％、23.5％,胰腺癌和胆管癌灵敏度比较,差异无统计学意义（P =0.171）,但二者与肝细胞癌相比,灵敏度差异有统计学意义（P ＜0.0125）;良性疾病组血清CA19-9水平与胆红素水平呈明显正相关性（0.8＜r＜0.9,P ＜0.001）,与肝转氨酶相关性较弱（0.16 ＜r＜0.18,P＞0.10）,但恶性疾病组血清CA19-9与血清胆红素、肝转氨酶均无明显相关性（P＞0.10）;通过绘制ROC曲线确定血清CA19-9诊断胆胰癌的最佳阳性参考值为55.2 U/ml.结论 伴有不同程度的肝功能异常或胆管梗阻的肝胆胰疾病中,血清CA19-9对胆胰恶性肿瘤有一定的诊断和鉴别诊断价值,而对肝细胞癌的诊断价值不大;良性疾病中,不同程度的肝功能异常或者胆管梗阻可相应使血清CA19-9水平不同程度升高,但恶性疾病中血清CA19-9水平的高低主要与肿瘤本身表达强弱有关;使用CA19-9的最佳阳性参考值并联合检测其他肿瘤标志物可以明显提高其对胆胰癌的诊断效率.     

Prognostic significance of serum CA19-9 levels in resected pancreatic cancer

Twenty-eight patients with histologically proven pancreatic adenocarcinoma were investigated to evaluate the utility of serum CA19-9 levels as a prognostic indicator after pancreatic resection. Three patients were excluded from the study because their serum CA19-9 levels remained normal throughout the course of the disease. Of the remaining 25 patients, those with preoperative serum CA19-9 levels ≤200U/ml had a better prognosis than those with serum CA19-9 levels >200 U/ml; however, the difference between the two groups was not significant (P=0.13). Serum CA19-9 levels 30 days after pancreatic resection were normalized (≤37 U/ml) in 11 patients (group A), and the survival rate of this group was significantly higher than that of the group of patients with persistently elevated CA19-9 levels (>37 U/ml) (group B) (P<0.005). Other factors i.e., preoperative CA19-9 values, tumor size, lymph node metastasis, histology, and stage classification showed no significant differences between group A and group B. Univariate analysis of the findings for the 25 patients showed that the stage classification and postoperative CA19-9 levels were of prognostic significance for prolonged survival. Other factors, i.e., gender, age, histology, preoperative CA19-9 levels, location of the tumor, and mode of operation, had no significance as prognostic indicators. Multivariate analysis showed that postoperative CA19-9 level was the only significant independent predictor of poor survival. Postoperative serum CA19-9 level appears to be useful as a prognostic indicator after resection of pancreatic cancer.     

Dilemma of elevated CA 19-9 in biliary pathology

Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) is a tumor marker which has been extensively evaluated and widely utilized primarily in diagnosing and prognosticating pancreaticobiliary malignancies. Levels may be significantly influenced and elevated in cases of benign biliary conditions however, especially in obstructive jaundice, thereby posing difficulty in distinguishing between benign and malignant cholestasis. A myriad of studies have focused on elucidating proper use and interpretation of CA 19-9 in pancreatic cancer as well as in the setting of cholestasis. These studies have demonstrated that many factors influence CA 19-9 values and various methods for interpreting CA 19-9 in obstructive jaundice have been proposed. With improvements in diagnostic imaging, advancements in endoscopic modalities, and likelihood that management will not change based on the results of the test, clinicians should be cautious when ordering CA 19-9 and consider the reasons for measuring the tumor marker.     

CA 19-9 in patients with benign pulmonary diseases

Although serum CA 19-9 is considered to be a useful and specific tumor marker for pancreatic cancer, some patients with benign pulmonary diseases show elevated serum CA 19-9 levels. We measured serum CA 19-9 levels of 156 patients with benign pulmonary diseases (55 with asbestosis, 11 with bronchial asthma, 32 with bronchiectasis, 16 with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), 13 with healed pulmonary tuberculosis (HPT) and 29 other benign diseases). The percentage of patients with positive serum CA 19-9 was 42.3% (14.5% in asbestosis, 27.3% in bronchial asthma, 59.4% in bronchiectasis, 81.3% in IPF, 61.5% in HPT and 51.7% in others). In some patients, serum CA 19-9 levels were as high as those found in malignant gastrointestinal diseases. Serum CA 19-9 levels correlated well with disease activity. Immunohistochemically, CA 19-9 was expressed in mucous cells of the bronchial gland and surface of the bronchiolar surface epithelium cells in benign pulmonary disease. Gel filtration study suggested some difference in molecular weight between the serum CA 19-9 antigen of lung cancer and that of benign pulmonary diseases. It is suggested that serum CA 19-9 increases in the case of hyperplasia of the bronchiolar epithelium cells or the mucous cells of the bronchial gland. We conclude that benign pulmonary disease is one of the factors that affect serum CA 19-9 levels.     

老年2型糖尿病病人血清糖类抗原19-9水平及其相关影响因素分析

目的 本研究旨在探讨老年T2DM病人血清糖类抗原19-9(CA19-9)的水平及其影响因素.方法 选择2019年3～10月在我院内分泌科住院的536例老年T2DM病人,检测其CA19-9及糖脂代谢相关指标水平,并记录病人使用的降糖药物和微血管并发症发生情况.比较不同CA19-9水平病人的临床特征.采用Spearman相...     

CA19-9显著升高的特发性肺纤维化一例--附文献复习

目的提高对CA19-9显著升高的特发性肺纤维化(IPF)的认识,评价CA19-9的升高与IPF进展的相关性.方法对1例79岁男性血清CA19-9显著升高IPF患者的临床资料进行分析,并复习相关的文献进行分析.结果本例患者血清CA19-9进行性升高,从最初的899U/ml升高至10个月后的3854U/ml,经过反复全面检查和10个月随访,未发现恶性肿瘤和其他疾病的证据, CA19-9的进行性升高与肺纤维化程度的进展正相关.通过检索Medline文献,发现日本有6例血清CA19-9升高>1000U/ml的类似病例报道,通过免疫组化分析发现重度纤维化区域CA19-9呈阳性反应.结论作为消化道恶性肿瘤标志物的CA19-9显著升高可见于IPF患者,可能提示肺纤维化的进展,但不提示疾病的活动性,是预后不良的标志.     

CEA and CA 19-9 as prognostic indexes in colorectal cancer.

Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) and CA 19-9 are tumor markers expressed by colorectal cancers (CR), particularly in advanced cases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of pre-operative elevated CEA and/or CA 19-9 levels for patients with CR. Blood samples were collected from 74 patients. CEA and CA 19-9 were determined by ELISA (normal range: 0-3 ng/ml for CEA and 0-37 U/ml for CA 19-9). All patients were followed-up for at least 30 months or until death. At the time of diagnosis, 42% of the patients had elevated serum levels of CEA and 35% of CA 19-9. Relapse was observed in 33 patients, 73% of whom had elevated CEA and/or CA 19-9 levels. Among patients without relapse, 68% and 73% had normal values of CEA and CA 19-9, respectively. Ninety-three percent of patients, who had CR recurrence during the first year, had an elevated CEA and/or CA 19-9 level, while 67% of the patients with CR after 1 year, had normal tumor markers. Elevated pre-operative serum CEA and CA 19-9 levels were each predictive of increased cancer mortality (p = 0.001 for CEA, p = 0.01 for CA 19-9). Raised CEA and CA 19-9 levels identify patients at high risk for CR and death and may be useful in selecting patients for adjuvant therapy.     

Endoscopic ultrasonography in patients with elevated carbohydrate antigen 19-9 of obscure origin

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) in patients with elevated carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 levels of obscure origin. METHODS: Patients who had visited Pusan National University Hospital because of elevated serum CA 19-9 levels, between January 2007 and December 2009, were retrospectively enrolled. EUS had been performed on all subjects, in addition to routine blood tests, endoscopy, abdominal computed tomography (CT) and other clinical exams, which had not revealed any abnormal findings suggestive of the origin of the elevated CA 19-9 levels. RESULTS: Of the 17 patients, gallbladder sludge was detected in 16 patients (94.1%) and common bile duct sludge was observed in 3 patients (17.6%). After the administration of ursodeoxycholic acid to 12 of the patients with gallbladder sludge, CA 19-9 levels normalized in 6 of the patients after a median of 4.5 mo. CONCLUSION: EUS is a useful diagnostic method for patients with elevated CA 19-9 levels of obscure origin, even if the reason for abnormal levels of this serum marker cannot be determined through prior examinations, including abdominal CT.     

Value of serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 for predicting extrahepatic metastasis in patients with liver metastasis from colorectal carcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) are frequently elevated in patients with colorectal carcinoma. However, the predictive utility of these two markers has not been fully investigated in patients with liver metastasis. METHODOLOGY: We retrospectively analyzed data obtained from 90 hepatectomy or non-hepatectomy patients with liver metastases from colorectal carcinoma. We examined correlation between serum levels of CEA and CA19-9 and other clinicopathologic factors and performed univariate and multivariate analyses to determine the impact of these tumor markers on extrahepatic metastasis after admission to our hospital. RESULTS: CEA elevation correlated to advanced age (> or = 60 years), and CA19-9 elevation correlated with the site (colon) of primary tumor. Univariate analysis showed that treatment without hepatectomy, > or = 4 hepatic tumors, and CA19-9 elevation had been an adverse effect on extrahepatic disease-free survival time after admission. Multivariate analysis showed that CA19-9 elevation (risk ratio, 1.84) and treatment without hepatectomy (risk ratio, 1.62) had a significant effect on extrahepatic disease-free time. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with colorectal liver metastasis, elevation of serum CA19-9 is a risk factor for extrahepatic metastasis, and CEA appears to be useless for predicting extrahepatic metastasis in these patients.     

The use of tumor markers as predictors of prognosis in gastric cancer

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen (CA19-9) levels in patients with gastric cancer. METHODOLOGY: During the period January 2000 and January 2003, 36 patients operated for primary gastric cancer, at Sisli Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Department of General Surgery, were analyzed. Serum CEA and CA19-9 levels were determined preoperatively and the correlation between the elevated levels of tumor markers and several clinicopathological features, and survival were evaluated. RESULTS: Elevated serum CEA and CA19-9 levels were determined in 10 of 35 patients (28.6%), and 9 of 31 patients (29%), respectively, and both markers were elevated in 3 of 31 patients (9.6%). Elevated levels of CEA correlated with depth of invasion (p=0.018) and pathological stage (p=0.029); elevated levels of CA19-9 correlated with lymph node metastasis (p=0.026); and elevated levels of both markers correlated well with lymph node metastasis (p=0.031). The survival of patients with normal CEA levels was significantly better than those with elevated levels (p=0.0072). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative serum CEA and CA19-9 levels may add useful information in patients with gastric carcinoma, and CEA level is a predictor of prognosis.     

A comparison of tumour M2-PK with carcinoembryonic antigen and CA19-9 in patients undergoing liver resection for colorectal metastases

BACKGROUND: The currently available tumour markers used in the management of patients with colorectal metastases are of limited value. Tumour M2-pyruvate kinase (TuM2-PK), a tumour-associated isoenzyme of pyruvate kinase, is elevated in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. This study has measured TuM2-PK levels in patients before and after resection of colorectal liver metastases (CLM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients with CLM and no local residual disease had TuM2-PK levels measured before liver resection. In 20 patients, TuM2-PK levels were repeated at 2 weeks, 5 weeks and 5 months after resection. Plasma levels were analysed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ScheBo, Giessen, Germany). Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CA19-9 levels were measured at the same time periods by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. CEA, CA19-9 and TuM2-PK levels were compared with the tumour number, volume, differentiation and stage. Cut-off values used for TuM2-PK, CEA and CA19-9 were 15 IU/ml, 10 ng/ml and 39 IU/ml, respectively. RESULTS: TuM2-PK was elevated in 68%, CEA in 62% and CA19-9 in 40% of patients with CLM. TuM2-PK+CEA was elevated in 88% and TuM2-PK+CA19-9 in 78% of patients. A significant correlation was observed between tumour volume and CEA (r=0.34, P<0.05) and CA19-9 (r=0.49, P<0.005). TuM2-PK levels did not show a significant correlation with tumour differentiation, volume or the number of metastases. At 2 weeks after liver resection, CEA and CA19-9 levels had decreased to normal value in 73 and 67% of patients, respectively, but TuM2-PK remained elevated in all patients. At 5 weeks, TuM2-PK, CEA and CA19-9 levels decreased to normal in 64, 93 and 70% of patients, respectively, and at 5 months levels were normal in 58, 92 and 67%. CONCLUSION: Plasma TuM2-PK is commonly elevated in patients with CLM. Levels do not correlate with tumour volume, number or differentiation. Levels remain elevated after liver resection, the cause of which requires further investigation.