Serum CA 19-9 and risk of high-grade dysplasia/invasive carcinoma in intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas: an overlooked high-risk feature?

Abstract

Background: Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) are premalignant cystic tumors with variable behavior. Elevated serum CA 19-9 was incorporated as a worrisome feature in the International Association of Pancreatology 2017 guidelines, and may be associated with an increased risk of high-grade dysplasia and invasive carcinoma (HGD/IC). We aimed to compare the independent predictive value of CA 19-9 with other worrisome and high-risk features to better delineate its utility and importance.