King DA, Pineda G, Jhun I, Fisher G. Marked Decrease in CA 19-9 Level Belies Rapidly Progressive Lymphangitic Carcinomatosis in a Case of Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer.
J Pancreat Cancer 2020;
6:102-106. [PMID:
33269335 PMCID:
PMC7703254 DOI:
10.1089/pancan.2020.0015]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The CA 19-9 tumor marker is commonly used alongside imaging to trend chemotherapy response in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Presentation: We describe an unusual clinical case of metastatic pancreatic cancer who achieved a marked decline in CA 19-9 but paradoxically developed widespread pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis leading to rapid clinical decline and death.
Conclusions: This case highlights the limitations of using the CA 19-9 tumor marker in isolation.
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