CA19-9 serum levels predict micrometastases in patients with gastric cancerJagrič, Tomaž (Avtor) Potrč, Stojan (Avtor) Miš, Katarina (Avtor) Plankl, Mojca (Avtor) Marš, Tomaž (Avtor) gastric cancermicrometastasesCA19-9rak (medicina)želodecmetastazediagnostikaantigenitumorski označevalciBackground. We explored the prognostic value of the up-regulated carbohydrate antigen (CA19-9) in node-negative patients with gastric cancer as a surrogate marker for micrometastases. Patients and methods. Micrometastases were determined using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) for a subgroup of 30 node-negative patients. This group was used to determine the cut-off for preoperative CA19-9 serum levels as a surrogate marker for micrometastases. Then 187 node-negative T1 to T4 patients were selected to validate the predictive value of this CA19-9 threshold. Results. Patients with micrometastases had significantly higher preoperative CA19-9 serum levels compared to patients without micrometastases (p = 0.046). CA19-9 serum levels were significantly correlated with tumour site, tumour diameter, and perineural invasion. Although not reaching significance, subgroup analysis showed better five-year survival rates for patients with CA19-9 serum levels below the threshold, compared to patients with CA19-9 serum levels above the cut-off. The cumulative survival for T2 to T4 node-negative patients was significantly better with CA19-9 serum levels below the cut-off (p = 0.04). Conclusions. Preoperative CA19-9 serum levels can be used to predict higher risk for haematogenous spread and micrometastases in node-negative patients. However, CA19-9 serum levels lack the necessary sensitivity and specificity to reliably predict micrometastases.Association of Radiology and Oncology20162024-05-09 13:33:10Neznano18890UDK: 616.3-006-07ISSN pri članku: 1318-2099DOI: 10.1515/raon-2015-0025COBISS_ID: 5741375Ljubljanaslby Authors