Abstract
Although many studies have emphasized the prognostic and diagnostic value of tumor markers and various inflammation-related markers, their clinical significance in differentiating benign and malignant pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCNs) remains to be clarified. The present study explored the value of serum tumor markers and inflammation-related biomarkers in the differentiation of pancreatic serous cystic neoplasms (SCNs) and pancreatic mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs). A total of 79 patients with PCNs were included in this study, including 35 patients with SCNs and 44 patients with MCNs. Comparison of baseline data with preoperative results of serum tumor markers and associated inflammatory markers revealed significant differences in carbohydrate antigen 199 (CA199) and “lymphocyte × ALB” (LA) between the two groups (p = 0.0023, p = 0.0149, respectively). Univariate and multivariate regression analyses showed that an increase in CA199 and a decrease in LA were relevant risk factors for MCNs. Finally, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was generated, and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was calculated to evaluate the prediction efficiency of each indicator. The results showed that CA199 and LA had good differential diagnostic efficacy for SCNs and MCNs. This is the first to report to demonstrate that LA can be used for the differential diagnosis of SNCs and MCNs.
Highlights
Pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCNs) are a group of tumors characterized by cystic lesions formed by pancreatic duct epithelial cells or acinar hyperplasia and retention of pancreatic secretions [1]
Only 8/44 mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs) were detected in a head/neck location, and 36/44 MCNs were detected in a body/tail location
The results showed that the increase in serum carbohydrate antigen 199 (CA199) levels (OR = 1.0031, p = 0.0489) and the decrease in LA (OR = 0.9788, p = 0.0489) were independent predictors of MCNs (Table 3)
Summary
Pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCNs) are a group of tumors characterized by cystic lesions formed by pancreatic duct epithelial cells or acinar hyperplasia and retention of pancreatic secretions [1]. MCNs may deteriorate and are potential malignant tumors that can show a series of biological behavior processes of different degrees of dysplasia and to invasive cancer [1]. Due to the differences in biological behavior and the degree of benignity and malignancy between different subtypes, overtreatment or untimely diagnosis and treatment can occur, which makes the diagnosis and treatment of PCNs a difficult problem in the clinic. There is an urgent need for an accurate preoperative assessment of the benign and malignant degree of PCNs to facilitate subsequent rational clinical treatment. Pathological diagnosis is the gold standard for identifying the nature of PCNs, but it is an invasive operation that causes unnecessary damage to the patient, resulting in certain limitations in clinical application [4]
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