Preoperative serum CA 19-9 level as a predictive factor for recurrence after curative resection in biliary tract cancer.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Complete surgical removal of biliary tract cancer (BTC) offers the only chance of cure; however, long-term survival remains very limited because of frequent recurrence after surgery. The purpose of our study was to evaluate whether the preoperative serum carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 level could predict recurrence after curative resection of BTC.

METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of the medical records of patients who were diagnosed with BTC and underwent curative resection. The optimal cutoff value for the preoperative serum level of CA 19-9 that predicted recurrence was determined by a ROC curve. Preoperative and postoperative risk factors for recurrence were evaluated using log-rank test.

RESULTS: A total of 101 patients were eligible for this study. The optimal cutoff value of preoperative serum CA 19-9 level to predict recurrence was 55 U/mL. Forty-five patients (44.6%) experienced recurrence after curative resection with a median follow-up period of 28.4 months. Recurrence occurred in 33 (61.1%) of 54 patients with CA 19-9 levels ≥55 U/mL compared with only 12 (25.5%) of 47 patients with CA 19-9 levels <55 U/mL. The recurrence rate was significantly higher in patients with baseline CA 19-9 serum levels ≥55 U/mL (hazard ratio, 3.282; 95% confidence interval, 1.684-6.395; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Elevated preoperative serum CA 19-9 was associated with a high risk of recurrence after curative resection of BTC. Different treatment plans might be needed for patients with BTC and high serum levels of CA 19-9.