Hepatic perivascular epithelioid cell tumors:The importance of preoperative diagnosis

Accurate preoperative diagnosis is highly important for the treatment of perivascular epithelioid cell tumors(PEComas)because PEComas are mainly benign tumors and may not require surgical intervention.By analyzing the causes,properties and clinical manifestations of PEComas,we summarize the challenges and solutions in the diagnosis of PEComas.

Clinical value of oral contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in diagnosis of gastric tumors

BACKGROUND The incidence of gastric cancer remains high,and it is the sixth most common cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide.Oral contrastenhanced ultrasonography is a simple,non-invasive,and painless method for the diagnosis of gastric tumors.AIM To explore the diagnostic value of oral contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for the detection of gastric tumors.METHODS The screening results based on oral contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and electronic gastroscopy were compared with those of the postoperative pathological examination.RESULTS Among 42 patients with gastric tumors enrolled in the study,the diagnostic accordance rate was 95.2%for oral contrast-enhanced ultrasonography(n=40)and 90.5%for electronic gastroscopy(n=38)compared with postoperative pathological examination.The Kappa value of consistency test with pathological findings was 0.812 for oral contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and 0.718 for electronic gastroscopy,and there was no significant difference between them(P=0.397).For the TNM staging of gastric tumors,the accuracy rate of oral contrast enhanced ultrasonography was 81.9%for the overall T staging and 50%,77.8%,100%,and 100%for T1,T2,T3,and T4 staging,respectively.The sensitivity and specificity were both 100%for stages T3 and T4.The diagnostic accuracy rate of oral contrast-enhanced ultrasonography was 93.8%,80%,100%,and 100%for stages N0,N1-N3,M0,and M1,respectively.CONCLUSION The accordance rate of qualitative diagnosis by oral contrast-enhanced ultrasonography is comparable to that of gastroscopy,and it could be used as the preferred method for the early screening of gastric tumors.

Avoiding misdiagnosis of multilocular thymic cysts as malignant tumors on computer tomography

This editorial provides insights from a case report by Sun et al published in the World Journal of Clinical Cases.The case report focuses on a case where a multilocular thymic cyst(MTC)was misdiagnosed as a thymic tumor,resulting in an unnecessary surgical procedure.Both MTCs and thymic tumors are rare conditions that heavily rely on radiological imaging for accurate diagnosis.However,the similarity in their imaging presentations can lead to misinterpretation,resulting in unnecessary surgical procedures.Due to the ongoing lack of comprehensive knowledge about MTCs and thymic tumors,we offer a summary of diagnostic techniques documented in recent literature and examine potential causes of misdiagnosis.When computer tomography(CT)values surpass 20 Hounsfield units and display comparable morphology,there is a risk of misdiagnosing MTCs as thymic tumors.Employing various differential diagnostic methods like biopsy,molecular biology,multi-slice CT,CT functional imaging,positron emission tomography/CT molecular functional imaging,magnetic resonance imaging and radiomics,proves advantageous in reducing clinical misdiagnosis.A deeper understanding of these conditions requires increased attention and exploration by healthcare providers.Moreover,the continued advancement and utilization of various diagnostic methods are expected to enhance precise diagnoses,provide appropriate treatment options,and improve the quality of life for patients with thymic tumors and MTCs in the future.continued advancement and utilization of various diagnostic methods are expected to enhance precise diagnoses,provide appropriate treatment options,and improve the quality of life for patients with thymic tumors and MTCs in the future.

Cost analysis of radical resection of malignant breast tumors under the China Healthcare Security Diagnosis Related Groups payment system

BACKGROUND Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in women worldwide and poses a severe threat to their health.Therefore,this study examined patients who underwent breast cancer surgery,analyzed hospitalization costs and structure,and explored the impact of China Healthcare Security Diagnosis Related Groups(CHS-DRG)management on patient costs.It aimed to provide medical institutions with ways to reduce costs,optimize cost structures,reduce patient burden,and improve service efficiency.AIM To study the CHS-DRG payment system’s impact on breast cancer surgery costs.METHODS Using the CHS-DRG(version 1.1)grouping criteria,4073 patients,who underwent the radical resection of breast malignant tumors from January to December 2023,were included in the JA29 group;1028 patients were part of the CHS-DRG payment system,unlike the rest.Through an independent sample t-test,the length of hospital stay as well as total hospitalization,medicine and consumables,medical,nursing,medical technology,and management expenses were compared.Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to test the cost correlation.RESULTS In terms of hospitalization expenses,patients in the CHS-DRG payment group had lower medical,nursing,and management expenses than those in the diagnosis-related group(DRG)non-payment group.For patients in the DRG payment group,the factors affecting the total hospitalization cost,in descending order of relevance,were medicine and consumable costs,consumable costs,medicine costs,medical costs,medical technology costs,management costs,nursing costs,and length of hospital stay.For patients in the DRG nonpayment group,the factors affecting the total hospitalization expenses in descending order of relevance were medicines and consumable expenses,consumable expenses,medical technology expenses,the cost of medicines,medical expenses,nursing expenses,length of hospital stay,and management expenses.CONCLUSION The CHS-DRG system can help control and reduce unnecessary medical expenses by controlling medicine costs,medical consumable costs,and the length of hospital stay while ensuring medical safety.

Laser spectroscopy imaging technique coupled withnanomaterials for cancer diagnosis: A review

Laser spectroscopic imaging techniques have received tremendous attention in the-eld of cancer diagnosis due to their high sensitivity,high temporal resolution,and short acquisition time.However,the limited tissue penetration of the laser is still a challenge for the in vivo diagnosis of deep-seated lesions.Nanomaterials have been universally integrated with spectroscopic imaging techniques for deeper cancer diagnosis in vivo.The components,morphology,and sizes of nanomaterials are delicately designed,which could realize cancer diagnosis in vivo or in situ.Considering the enhanced signal emitting from the nanomaterials,we emphasized their combination with spectroscopic imaging techniques for cancer diagnosis,like the surface-enhanced Raman scattering(SERS),photoacoustic,fluorescence,and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy(LIBS).Applications ofthe above spectroscopic techniques offer new prospectsfor cancer diagnosis.

Plasma DNA methylation detection for early screening,diagnosis,and monitoring of esophageal adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND The early diagnosis rate of esophageal cancer(EC),one of the most prevalent digestive tract cancers worldwide,remains low.AIM To investigate the utility of plasma SHOX2,SEPTIN9,EPO,and RNF180 methylation in the clinical diagnosis and monitoring of EC.Plasma samples were collected from 210 patients at Hubei Cancer Hospital,and TaqMan polymerase chain reaction was employed to detect plasma SHOX2,SEPTIN9,RNF180,and EPO methylation.The area under the curve was used to estimate their diagnostic value for EC.Cox and logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the independent screening risk factors for patients with EC.RESULTS The sensitivity and specificity of combined assessment of plasma SHOX2,SEPTIN9,RNF180,and EPO methylation for adenocarcinoma,squamous cell carcinoma(SCC),and EC detection were 66.67%and 86.27%,77.40%and 85.29%,and 76.19%and 86.27%,respectively;the area under the curve values for diagnosing adenocarcinoma,SCC,and EC were 0.737[95%confidence interval(CI):0.584–0.89],0.824(95%CI:0.775–0.891),and 0.864(95%CI:0.809–0.92),respectively.CONCLUSION According to our findings,plasma SHOX2,SEPTIN9,RNF180,and EPO methylation exhibits appreciated sensitivity for diagnosing EC.The precise measurement of plasma SHOX2,SEPTIN9,RNF180,and EPO methylation can improve EC diagnosis and therapy efficacy monitoring.

Utility of plasma D-dimer for diagnosis of venous thromboembolism after hepatectomy

BACKGROUND Venous thromboembolism(VTE)is a potentially fatal complication of hepatectomy.The use of postoperative prophylactic anticoagulation in patients who have undergone hepatectomy is controversial because of the risk of postoperative bleeding.Therefore,we hypothesized that monitoring plasma D-dimer could be useful in the early diagnosis of VTE after hepatectomy.AIM To evaluate the utility of monitoring plasma D-dimer levels in the early diagnosis of VTE after hepatectomy.METHODS The medical records of patients who underwent hepatectomy at our institution between January 2017 and December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.Patients were divided into two groups according to whether or not they developed VTE after hepatectomy,as diagnosed by contrast-enhanced computed tomography and/or ultrasonography of the lower extremities.Clinicopathological factors,including demographic data and perioperative D-dimer values,were compared between the two groups.Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to determine the D-dimer cutoff value.Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using logistic regression analysis to identify significant predictors.RESULTS In total,234 patients who underwent hepatectomy were,of whom(5.6%)were diagnosed with VTE following hepatectomy.A comparison between the two groups showed significant differences in operative time(529 vs 403 min,P=0.0274)and blood loss(530 vs 138 mL,P=0.0067).The D-dimer levels on postoperative days(POD)1,3,5,7 were significantly higher in the VTE group than in the non-VTE group.In the multivariate analysis,intraoperative blood loss of>275 mL[odds ratio(OR)=5.32,95%confidence interval(CI):1.05-27.0,P=0.044]and plasma D-dimer levels on POD 5≥21μg/mL(OR=10.1,95%CI:2.04-50.1,P=0.0046)were independent risk factors for VTE after hepatectomy.CONCLUSION Monitoring of plasma D-dimer levels after hepatectomy is useful for early diagnosis of VTE and may avoid routine prophylactic anticoagulation in the postoperative period.

Automated Brain Tumor Diagnosis Using Deep Residual U-Net Segmentation Model

Automated segmentation and classification of biomedical images act as a vital part of the diagnosis of brain tumors(BT).A primary tumor brain analysis suggests a quicker response from treatment that utilizes for improving patient survival rate.The location and classification of BTs from huge medicinal images database,obtained from routine medical tasks with manual processes are a higher cost together in effort and time.An automatic recognition,place,and classifier process was desired and useful.This study introduces anAutomatedDeepResidualU-Net Segmentation with Classification model(ADRU-SCM)for Brain Tumor Diagnosis.The presentedADRUSCM model majorly focuses on the segmentation and classification of BT.To accomplish this,the presented ADRU-SCM model involves wiener filtering(WF)based preprocessing to eradicate the noise that exists in it.In addition,the ADRU-SCM model follows deep residual U-Net segmentation model to determine the affected brain regions.Moreover,VGG-19 model is exploited as a feature extractor.Finally,tunicate swarm optimization(TSO)with gated recurrent unit(GRU)model is applied as a classification model and the TSO algorithm effectually tunes theGRUhyperparameters.The performance validation of the ADRU-SCM model was tested utilizing FigShare dataset and the outcomes pointed out the better performance of the ADRU-SCM approach on recent approaches.

Computer-Aided Diagnosis Model Using Machine Learning for Brain Tumor Detection and Classification

The Brain Tumor(BT)is created by an uncontrollable rise of anomalous cells in brain tissue,and it consists of 2 types of cancers they are malignant and benign tumors.The benevolent BT does not affect the neighbouring healthy and normal tissue;however,the malignant could affect the adjacent brain tissues,which results in death.Initial recognition of BT is highly significant to protecting the patient’s life.Generally,the BT can be identified through the magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)scanning technique.But the radiotherapists are not offering effective tumor segmentation in MRI images because of the position and unequal shape of the tumor in the brain.Recently,ML has prevailed against standard image processing techniques.Several studies denote the superiority of machine learning(ML)techniques over standard techniques.Therefore,this study develops novel brain tumor detection and classification model using met heuristic optimization with machine learning(BTDC-MOML)model.To accomplish the detection of brain tumor effectively,a Computer-Aided Design(CAD)model using Machine Learning(ML)technique is proposed in this research manuscript.Initially,the input image pre-processing is performed using Gaborfiltering(GF)based noise removal,contrast enhancement,and skull stripping.Next,mayfly optimization with the Kapur’s thresholding based segmentation process takes place.For feature extraction proposes,local diagonal extreme patterns(LDEP)are exploited.At last,the Extreme Gradient Boosting(XGBoost)model can be used for the BT classification process.The accuracy analysis is performed in terms of Learning accuracy,and the validation accuracy is performed to determine the efficiency of the proposed research work.The experimental validation of the proposed model demonstrates its promising performance over other existing methods.

Multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment nutritional support intervention for gastrointestinal tumor radiotherapy:Impact on nutrition and quality of life

BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal tumors are a major cause of cancer-related deaths and have become a major public health problem.This study aims to provide a scientific basis for improving clinical treatment effects,quality of life,and prognosis of patients with gastrointestinal tumors.AIM To explore the clinical effect of the multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment(MDT)nutrition intervention model on patients with gastrointestinal tumors.METHODS This was a case control study which included patients with gastrointestinal tumors who received radiotherapy at the Department of Oncology between January 2021 and January 2023.Using a random number table,120 patients were randomly divided into MDT and control groups with 60 patients in each group.To analyze the effect of MDT on the nutritional status and quality of life of the patients,the nutritional status and quality of life scores of the patients were measured before and after the treatment.RESULTS Albumin(ALB),transferrin(TRF),hemoglobin(Hb),and total protein(TP)levels significantly decreased after the treatment.The control group had significantly lower ALB,TRF,Hb,and TP levels than the MDT group,and the differences in these levels between the two groups were statistically significant(P<0.05).After the treatment,the MDT group had significantly more wellnourished patients than the control group(P<0.05).The quality of life total score,somatic functioning,role functioning,and emotional functioning were higher in the MDT group than in the control group.By contrast,pain,fatigue,nausea,and vomiting scores were lower in the MDT group than in the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION MDT nutritional intervention model effectively improves the nutritional status and quality of life of the patients.The study provides a rigorous theoretical basis for improving the prognosis of cancer patients.In the future,we intend to provide additional treatment methods for improving the quality of life of patients with cancer.

Value of ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging combined with tumor markers in the diagnosis of ovarian tumors

BACKGROUND Compare the diagnostic performance of ultrasound(US),magnetic resonance imaging(MRI),and serum tumor markers alone or in combination for detecting ovarian tumors.AIM To investigate the diagnostic value of US,MRI combined with tumor markers in ovarian tumors.METHODS The data of 110 patients with ovarian tumors,confirmed by surgery and pathology,were collected in our hospital from February 2018 to May 2023.The dataset included 60 cases of benign tumors and 50 cases of malignant tumors.Prior to surgery,all patients underwent preoperative US and MRI examinations,as well as serum tumor marker tests[carbohydrate antigen 125(CA125),human epididymis protein 4(HE4)].The aim of the study was to compare the diagnostic performance of these three methods individually and in combination for ovarian tumors.RESULTS This study found statistically significant differences in the ultrasonic imaging characteristics between benign and malignant tumors.These differences include echo characteristics,presence or absence of a capsule,blood flow resistance index,clear tumor shape,and blood flow signal display rate(P<0.05).The apparent diffusion coefficient values of the solid and cystic parts in benign tumors were found to be higher compared to malignant tumors(P<0.05).Additionally,the time-intensity curve image features of benign and malignant tumors showed significant statistical differences(P<0.05).The levels of serum CA125 and HE4 in benign tumors were lower than those in malignant tumors(P<0.05).The combined use of US,MRI,and tumor markers in the diagnosis of ovarian tumors demonstrates higher accuracy,sensitivity,and specificity compared to using each method individually(P<0.05).CONCLUSION US,MRI,and tumor markers each have their own advantages and disadvantages when it comes to diagnosing ovarian tumors.However,by combining these three methods,we can significantly enhance the accuracy of ovarian tumor diagnosis,enabling early detection and identification of the tumor’s nature,and providing valuable guidance for clinical treatment.

Pre-Trained Deep Neural Network-Based Computer-Aided Breast Tumor Diagnosis Using ROI Structures

Deep neural network(DNN)based computer-aided breast tumor diagnosis(CABTD)method plays a vital role in the early detection and diagnosis of breast tumors.However,a Brightness mode(B-mode)ultrasound image derives training feature samples that make closer isolation toward the infection part.Hence,it is expensive due to a metaheuristic search of features occupying the global region of interest(ROI)structures of input images.Thus,it may lead to the high computational complexity of the pre-trained DNN-based CABTD method.This paper proposes a novel ensemble pretrained DNN-based CABTD method using global-and local-ROI-structures of B-mode ultrasound images.It conveys the additional consideration of a local-ROI-structures for further enhan-cing the pretrained DNN-based CABTD method’s breast tumor diagnostic performance without degrading its visual quality.The features are extracted at various depths(18,50,and 101)from the global and local ROI structures and feed to support vector machine for better classification.From the experimental results,it has been observed that the combined local and global ROI structure of small depth residual network ResNet18(0.8 in%)has produced significant improve-ment in pixel ratio as compared to ResNet50(0.5 in%)and ResNet101(0.3 in%),respectively.Subsequently,the pretrained DNN-based CABTD methods have been tested by influencing local and global ROI structures to diagnose two specific breast tumors(Benign and Malignant)and improve the diagnostic accuracy(86%)compared to Dense Net,Alex Net,VGG Net,and Google Net.Moreover,it reduces the computational complexity due to the small depth residual network ResNet18,respectively.

Diagnosis of primary hepatic carcinoid tumor:report of one case

Primary hepatic carcinoid tumor (PHCT) is a extremely rare neoplasm, usually lacking specific symptoms. We present a histologically proved case and review the cases in the literature. The patient was an 65-year-old man with right upper abdominal pain and weight loss who underwent exploratory laparotomy for huge mass of the liver. Ultrasonography showed a well-demarked, cystic mass with irregular thick wall, whereas CT revealed a low-density tumor in nephrographic phase and peripheral enhanced areas in artery phase. He was diagnosed as PHCT by histological findings including positive staining of tumor cells for chromogranin A and synaptophysin, and no evidence of other primary source of tumor. Thus, a patient with this type of mass showed by imaging examination should be suspected of PHCT, for it is of great importance to clinical treatment.

Value of Texture Analysis of Intravoxel Incoherent Motion Parameters in Differential Diagnosis of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor and Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

Objective To evaluate the value of texture features derived from intravoxel incoherent motion(IVIM) parameters for differentiating pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor(pNET) from pancreatic adenocarcinoma(PAC).Methods Eighteen patients with pNET and 32 patients with PAC were retrospectively enrolled in this study. All patients underwent diffusion-weighted imaging with 10 b values used(from 0 to 800 s/mm2). Based on IVIM model, perfusion-related parameters including perfusion fraction(f), fast component of diffusion(Dfast) and true diffusion parameter slow component of diffusion(Dslow) were calculated on a voxel-by-voxel basis and reorganized into gray-encoded parametric maps. The mean value of each IVIM parameter and texture features [Angular Second Moment(ASM), Inverse Difference Moment(IDM), Correlation, Contrast and Entropy] values of IVIM parameters were measured. Independent sample t-test or Mann-Whitney U test were performed for the betweengroup comparison of quantitative data. Regression model was established by using binary logistic regression analysis, and receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve was plotted to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency.Results The mean f value of the pNET group were significantly higher than that of the PAC group(27.0% vs. 19.0%, P = 0.001), while the mean values of Dfast and Dslow showed no significant differences between the two groups. All texture features(ASM, IDM, Correlation, Contrast and Entropy) of each IVIM parameter showed significant differences between the pNET and PAC groups(P = 0.000-0.043). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that texture ASM of Dfast and texture Correlation of Dslow were considered as the specific imaging variables for the differential diagnosis of pNET and PAC. ROC analysis revealed that multiple texture features presented better diagnostic performance than IVIM parameters(AUC 0.849-0.899 vs. 0.526-0.776), and texture ASM of Dfast combined with Correlation of Dslow in the model of logistic regression had largest area under ROC curve for distinguishing pNET from PAC(AUC 0.934, cutoff 0.378, sensitivity 0.889, specificity 0.854). Conclusion Texture analysis of IVIM parameters could be an effective and noninvasive tool to differentiate pNET from PAC.

Value of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Texture Analysis in the Differential Diagnosis of Benign and Malignant Breast Tumors

Objective To investigate the difference in texture features on diffusion weighted imaging(DWI) images between breast benign and malignant tumors.Methods Patients including 56 with mass-like breast cancer, 16 with breast fibroadenoma, and 4 with intraductal papilloma of breast treated in the Hainan Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital were retrospectively enrolled in this study, and allocated to the benign group(20 patients) and the malignant group(56 patients) according to the post-surgically pathological results. Texture analysis was performed on axial DWI images, and five characteristic parameters including Angular Second Moment(ASM), Contrast, Correlation, Inverse Difference Moment(IDM), and Entropy were calculated. Independent sample t-test and Mann-Whitney U test were performed for intergroup comparison. Regression model was established by using Binary Logistic regression analysis, and receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC) analysis was carried out to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency. Results The texture features ASM, Contrast, Correlation and Entropy showed significant differences between the benign and malignant breast tumor groups(PASM= 0.014, Pcontrast= 0.019, Pcorrelation= 0.010, Pentropy= 0.007). The area under the ROC curve was 0.685, 0.681, 0.754, and 0.683 respectively for the positive texture variables mentioned above, and that for the combined variables(ASM, Contrast, and Entropy) was 0.802 in the model of Logistic regression. Binary Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that ASM, Contrast and Entropy were considered as thespecific imaging variables for the differential diagnosis of breast benign and malignant tumors.Conclusion The texture analysis of DWI may be a simple and effective tool in the differential diagnosis between breast benign and malignant tumors.

Chinese consensus guidelines for diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal stromal tumor

In order to further promote the standardization of diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumor （GIST） in China, the members of Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology （CSCO） Expert Committee on GIST thoroughly discussed the key contents of the consensus guidelines, and voted on the controversial issue. In final, the Chinese consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and management of GIST （2017 edition） was formed on the basis of 2013 edition consensus guidelines, which is hereby announced. The consensus included the pathological diagnosis, recurrence risk classification evaluation, targeted agent therapy, surgery and principles of surveillance of GIST.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor and solid-pseudopapillary neoplasm: Key immunohistochemical profiles for differential diagnosis

AIM To reveal better diagnostic markers for differentiating neuroendocrine tumor(NET) from solid-pseudopapillary neoplasm(SPN), focusing primarily on immunohistochemical analysis.METHODS We reviewed 30 pancreatic surgical specimens of NET(24 cases) and SPN(6 cases). We carried out comprehensive immunohistochemical profiling using 9 markers: Synaptophysin, chromogranin A, pancytokeratin, E-cadherin, progesterone receptor,vimentin, α-1-antitrypsin, CD10, and β-catenin.RESULTS E-cadherin staining in NETs, and nuclear labeling of β-catenin in SPNs were the most sensitive and specific markers. Dot-like staining of chromogranin A might indicate the possibility of SPNs rather than NETs. The other six markers were not useful because their expression overlapped widely between NETs and SPNs. Moreover, two cases that had been initially diagnosed as NETs on the basis of their morphological features, demonstrated SPN-like immunohistochemical profiles. Careful diagnosis is crucial as we actually found two confusing cases showing disagreement between the tumor morphology and immunohistochemical profiles.CONCLUSION E-cadherin, chromogranin A, and β-catenin were the most useful markers which should be employed for differentiating between NET and SPN.

Detection of serum tumor markers in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND: Although a variety of tumor markers areavailable for diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, their sensitivityand specificity have not yet been ideal. The aims of thisstudy was to detect a panel of serum tumor markers and toevaluate their significance in the diagnosis and prognosis ofpancreatic cancer patients.METHODS: Eight serum tumor markers including AFP,CEA, CA-50, CA72-4, CA-125, CA153, CA19-9 and CA242were detected in 129 patients with pancreatic cancer by usingchemiluminescence immunoassay, immunofluorescence as-say and immunoradiometric assay, respectively. The levelsof these markers were compared in 99 patients with non-pancreatic malignant tumor, 63 patients with other benigndiseases, and 27 patients with pancreatic cancer after pan-createctomy.RESULTS: Among the 8 tumor markers, CA19-9, CA242,CA-50, and CA72-4 were more sensitive in the diagnosis ofpancreatic cancer. Parallel combined testing could increasethe diagnostic sensitivity to 89.2%, and serial combined exa-mination could increase the diagnostic specificity to 92.3%.The serum tumor markers levels were decreased significant-ly after radical tumor resection.CONCLUSIONS: Serum CA19-9, CA242, CA-50, andCA72-4 are the preferred tumor markers to be used in thediagnosis and follow-up of operated cases of pancreaticcancer. Testing of a panel of multiple serum tumor mark-ers may increase the sensitivity and specificity in the diag-nosis of pancreatic cancer.

Combined detection of serum tumor markers for differential diagnosis of solid lesions located at the pancreatic head

BACKGROUND: The differential diagnosis of solid lesions located at the pancreatic head is very important for choosing therapies and setting up surgical tactics. This study was designed to evaluate the clinical significance of combined measurement of multiple serum tumor markers and the application of the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves in the differential diagnosis of solid lesions located at the pancreatic head. METHODS: The serum levels of CA19-9, CA242, CA50 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in 112 patients with carcinoma of the pancreatic head and 38 patients with focal chronic pancreatitis in the pancreatic head were measured with ELISA. The sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR) and negative likelihood ratio (NLR) of the four serum tumor markers were calculated. The ROC curves for the four serum tumor markers were constructed and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. RESULTS: The AUCs of CA19-9, CA242, CA50 and CEA were 0.805, 0.749, 0.738 and 0.705; the PLRs were 1.91, 3.43, 5.09 and 5.46; and the NLRs were 0.41, 0.56, 0.59 and 0.71, respectively. Combined measurements increased the diagnostic specificity, and parallel combined testing increased the diagnostic sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: Combined measurement of serum tumor markers CA19-9, CA242, CA50 and CEA is valuable in differential diagnosis of solid lesions located at the pancreatic head, and CA19-9 has the best diagnostic ability. Combined measurements can increase the specificity of diagnosis. Evaluation with the ROC curve is better than the sensitivity or specificity alone and the results are more integrated and objective.

Diagnosis and treatment of solid-pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas

BACKGROUND: Solid-pseudopapillary tumor (SPT) of the pancreas is a rare exocrine pancreatic tumor. Despite the increasing recognition of the tumor in recent years, its pathogenesis and apparent therapeutic algorithm remain unclear. This study was designed to define the clinical, imaging, and pathologic features and to improve the diagnosis and treatment of this rare disease. METHOD: The clinical, imaging, and pathologic findings of 9 SPT patients managed in our hospital between 2001 and 2005 were retrospectively analyzed, and related literatures were reviewed. RESULTS: In the 9 patients aged from 14 to 68 years, 8 were female and 1 male. The mean age of these patients at diagnosis was 30 years. Initially, 8 patients complained of vague abdominal pain and one patient had pancreatic mass detected incidentally by abdominal CT. The levels of blood and urine amylase and tumor markers were all within the normal range. B-US, CT and MRI demonstrated that tumors were well encapsulated and contained some degree of internal hemorrhage or cystic degeneration. The mean transverse diameter of these tumors was 5.4 cm (range, 2-10.5 cm). The tumors were located at the head (2 patients), body (2), body and tail junction (4), and tail (1) of the pancreas. Surgical procedures included pancreaticoduodenectomy, distal pancreatectomy, distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy, and enucleation. Histological examination showed solidified cystic areas and papillary protrusions. Two malignant tumors demonstrated retroperitoneal metastases and vascular invasion. Follow-up for 2.5 years on average showed that one patient died of tumor recurrence at 10 months and the rest were alive. CONCLUSIONS: SPT exhibits unique clinical and pathologic features and is readily diagnosed by its characteristic imaging and histological appearance. Surgical resection of the primary tumor and metastases is the treatment of choice.