Evaluating Tumor Markers for Liver Disease Diagnosis
Author Information
Author(s): M.E. Lucarotti, N.D. Rothnie, S.B. Kelly, M.J. Hershman, C. Johannsen, O. Nilsson, L. Lindholm, C.B. Wood, R.C.N. Williamson, N.A. Habib
Primary Institution: University Department of Surgery, Bristol Royal Infirmary
Hypothesis
Can the combined use of CEA, CA19-9, and CA50 improve diagnostic accuracy in liver tumors?
Conclusion
The combined use of CEA, CA19-9, and CA50 helps to differentiate between benign and malignant hepatobiliary disease.
Supporting Evidence
- Combined use of CEA, CA19-9, and CA50 improved diagnostic accuracy for secondary liver tumors to 91%.
- Diagnostic accuracy for primary liver carcinoma was 81% using the combined markers.
- None of the benign group tested positive for the combined markers.
Takeaway
Doctors used special tests to check for cancer in the liver, and found that using three tests together helps tell if someone has cancer or not.
Methodology
Serum samples were collected from normal subjects and patients with liver disease, and analyzed using immunoradiometric assays and multivariant discriminant analysis.
Limitations
The study may not account for all types of liver diseases and the sample size for some groups was small.
Participant Demographics
65 normal subjects, 40 with hepatobiliary carcinoma (26 primary, 14 secondary), and 17 with benign hepatobiliary disease.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website