Published online Aug 15, 2003. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v9.i8.1815
Revised: January 15, 2003
Accepted: March 5, 2003
Published online: August 15, 2003
AIM: To evaluate p53 protein overexpression and to measure serum CA19.9 concentrations in cytological diagnosis of patients with suspected pancreatic cancer.
METHODS: 24 patients with suspected pancreatic cancer due to chronic pancreatitis, had a pancreatic mass determined by imaging methods. The serum CA19.9 concentration was measured by solid phase radioimmunoassay. On laparotomy, puncture biopsy was performed, and specimens were divided into two parts for cytological diagnosis and detection of p53 protein.
RESULTS: Cytology offered a sensitivity of 0.63, a specificity of 1.00, and an accuracy of 0.63. p53 protein analysis offered a sensitivity of 0.44, a specificity of 1.00, and an accuracy of 0.73. CA19.9 offered a sensitivity of 0.44, a specificity of 0.80, and an accuracy of 0.67. The combined cytology and p53 protein analysis showed a sensitivity of 0.78, a specificity of 1.00, and an accuracy of 0.92. Cytology and CA19.9 showed a sensitivity of 0.67, a specificity of 0.80, an accuracy of 0.67. combined cytology and p53 protein analysis and CA19.9 showed a sensitivity of 0.78, a specificity of 0.80, and an accuracy of 0.79.
CONCLUSION: Superior to any single test, the combined approach is helpful for the differential diagnosis of pancreatic cancer complicated with chronic pancreatitis.The combined cytology and p53 protein analysis offers the best diagnostic efficacy.