Skip to main content
Journal cover image

Evaluation of cyst fluid CEA analysis in the diagnosis of mucinous cysts of the pancreas.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Nagula, S; Kennedy, T; Schattner, MA; Brennan, MF; Gerdes, H; Markowitz, AJ; Tang, L; Allen, PJ
Published in: J Gastrointest Surg
December 2010

BACKGROUND: Although cyst fluid carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA; > 192 ng/ml) is the preferred test for identifying mucinous pancreatic cysts, the data are more robust for mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCN) than for intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN). The role of cyst fluid CEA as a marker for either malignancy or malignant progression is uncertain. METHODS: All patients with pancreatic cysts who had undergone endoscopic ultrasound with cyst fluid CEA measurement between 2001 and 2009 were identified. Patient outcomes and pathology from operative resections were recorded. RESULTS: Two hundred sixty-seven patients were identified; pathological diagnosis was obtained in 97. Mucinous cysts were identified in 66 of 97 (68%): benign IPMN, n = 42; malignant IPMN, n = 10; benign MCN, n = 12; malignant MCN, n = 2. CEA > 192 ng/mL had a sensitivity and specificity of 73% and 65% for identifying mucinous cysts; cyst fluid CEA was not associated with malignancy (p = 0.85). One hundred seventy-eight patients were managed with an initial non-operative strategy. Eight (4%) developed radiographic changes necessitating surgery; pathology demonstrated seven benign mucinous cysts and one retention cyst. CEA was not associated with radiographic progression (p = 0.37). CONCLUSIONS: Cyst fluid CEA is a useful test for identifying mucinous cysts, including MCN and IPMN. In mucinous cysts, cyst fluid CEA is not associated with malignancy or radiographic progression.

Duke Scholars

Published In

J Gastrointest Surg

DOI

EISSN

1873-4626

Publication Date

December 2010

Volume

14

Issue

12

Start / End Page

1997 / 2003

Location

Netherlands

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Surgery
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Pancreatic Cyst
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Cyst Fluid
  • Carcinoembryonic Antigen
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Nagula, S., Kennedy, T., Schattner, M. A., Brennan, M. F., Gerdes, H., Markowitz, A. J., … Allen, P. J. (2010). Evaluation of cyst fluid CEA analysis in the diagnosis of mucinous cysts of the pancreas. J Gastrointest Surg, 14(12), 1997–2003. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-010-1281-0
Nagula, Satish, Timothy Kennedy, Mark A. Schattner, Murray F. Brennan, Hans Gerdes, Arnold J. Markowitz, Laura Tang, and Peter J. Allen. “Evaluation of cyst fluid CEA analysis in the diagnosis of mucinous cysts of the pancreas.J Gastrointest Surg 14, no. 12 (December 2010): 1997–2003. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-010-1281-0.
Nagula S, Kennedy T, Schattner MA, Brennan MF, Gerdes H, Markowitz AJ, et al. Evaluation of cyst fluid CEA analysis in the diagnosis of mucinous cysts of the pancreas. J Gastrointest Surg. 2010 Dec;14(12):1997–2003.
Nagula, Satish, et al. “Evaluation of cyst fluid CEA analysis in the diagnosis of mucinous cysts of the pancreas.J Gastrointest Surg, vol. 14, no. 12, Dec. 2010, pp. 1997–2003. Pubmed, doi:10.1007/s11605-010-1281-0.
Nagula S, Kennedy T, Schattner MA, Brennan MF, Gerdes H, Markowitz AJ, Tang L, Allen PJ. Evaluation of cyst fluid CEA analysis in the diagnosis of mucinous cysts of the pancreas. J Gastrointest Surg. 2010 Dec;14(12):1997–2003.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Gastrointest Surg

DOI

EISSN

1873-4626

Publication Date

December 2010

Volume

14

Issue

12

Start / End Page

1997 / 2003

Location

Netherlands

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Surgery
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Pancreatic Cyst
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Cyst Fluid
  • Carcinoembryonic Antigen