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

ObjectivesThe study goals were development of reference intervals and an interpretive algorithm for pancreatic cyst fluid tumor markers.Design and methods442 pancreatic cyst fluids were tested for CEA, CA19-9, and amylase.ResultsCEA > 30 ng/mL discriminates mucinous from non-mucinous cysts. After CEA analysis, amylase and CA19-9 segregate non-mucinous and mucinous subtypes, respectively.ConclusionsPancreatic cyst fluid tumor markers supplement other diagnostic measures. This study provides estimated reference intervals and an algorithm for interpretation.