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The Concept of Combining Noninvasive Tests in the Screening for Pancreatic Cancer

Colin R. Mackie, MB, ChB, FRCS; James Bowie, MD; Martin J. Cooper, MB, BS, FRCS; Michael H. Lewis, MB, ChB, FRCS; A. Rahim Moossa, MD, FRCS, FACS

Arch Surg. 1979;114(8):889-892.

Abstract
• A total of 134 patients suspected of having pancreatic cancer were given preoperative ultrasonic examinations. A total of 54 cases had a final diagnosis of pancreatic cancer histologically confirmed. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the ultrasonographies were 76% and 91% or 87% and 74%, depending on whether doubtful results were called abnormal or normal. "Doubtful" results were defined as those that stated that pancreatic cancer was "possible" or "could not be excluded." When these results were divided into abnormal and normal groups on the basis of the patients' preoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen and pancreatic oncofetal antigen levels, the sensitivity and specificity of the combined tests may prove to be a more accurate means of screening patients for pancreatic cancer than ultrasonography alone.

(Arch Surg 114:889-892, 1979)

Author Affiliations
From the Departments of Surgery (Drs Mackie, Cooper, Lewis, and Moossa) and Radiology (Dr Bowie), University of Chicago Hospitals and Clinics, Chicago.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication Feb 21, 1979.

Reprint requests to Box 129, 950 E 59th St, Chicago, IL 60637 (Dr Moossa).

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