Schwannoma of the stomach with elevated preoperative serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9: report of a case

We herein report a case of a gastric schwannoma with elevated preoperative serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) (155.2 U/ml, normal range 0-36.9 U/ml). A 59-year-old Japanese man was admitted to our hospital for treatment of a submucosal tumor of the stomach detected by barium meal, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, and computed tomography. Endoscopic examination revealed a 3-cm diameter submucosal tumor in the antrum of the stomach, but biopsy of the lesion was unable to confirm the diagnosis. Positron emission tomography to evaluate the malignant potential showed a high uptake of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose in the tumor. Laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy was therefore performed. The histopathological findings of the surgical specimen revealed a benign gastric schwannoma, positive for S-100 protein. The postoperative serum CA19-9 levels gradually decreased and normalized. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a gastric schwannoma with elevated serum CA19-9.     

A case of mediastinal mature teratoma with elevated of CA 19-9 in tumor fluid

A 20-year-old female was diagnosed as mediastinal tumor and admitted to our hospital for the operation. Among the preoperative examinations, the serum level of CA 19-9 was within normal limits. The fluid inside the cystic tumor which was removed during the operation showed high levels of CA 19-9. We discussed the relationship between CA 19-9 and cystic lesions. Histopathological study revealed that CA 19-9 was produced in only epithelial cell of the cystic lesion. And we speculated that examination of serum CA 19-9 helps the diagnosis of cystic lesions.     

Mediastinal mature teratoma with elevated serum SCC levels —A report of 2 cases—

This is a report of two cases of mature mediastinal teratoma associated with elevated serum SCC levels. The first patient was a 17-year-old female admitted to our hospital for severe left chest pain. Chest x-ray film and CT scan showed a mediastinal tumor. The preoperative serum SCC level was elevated. Resection was performed and the pathological diagnosis was mature teratoma. The second patient was a 32-year-old male admitted to our hospital for severe anterior chest pain. A chest CT scan showed a mediastinal tumor. The preoperative serum SCC level was high. Surgery was performed and the pathological diagnosis was mature teratoma. The cause of the high serum SCC levels was unclear, but we suspect that the pulmonary atelectasis may have caused it.     

Resection of a mediastinal mature teratoma diagnosed owing to sudden chest pain with elevated preoperative serum CA19-9

Mediastinal teratomas are typically benign and asymptomatic, but they undergo sudden enlargement or rupture into neighboring organs in some patients owing to intratumoral hemorrhage, leading to serious complications. We report the case of a mediastinal mature teratoma that was discovered because of the sudden onset of chest pain accompanied by elevated preoperative serum CA19-9 levels. The patient was a 43-year-old man who experienced sudden chest pain and was brought to hospital in an ambulance. Chest radiography and computed tomography revealed a mediastinal tumor and a serum CA19-9 level that was elevated to 4377 U/ml. The tumor comprised soft tissue, fluid, and cystic components. The histological diagnosis was mature teratoma with peritumoral bleeding. Most epithelial components, including squamous epithelium and similar components in the bronchi, showed positive results for CA19-9 on immunohistological examination. The postoperative course was uneventful, and serum CA19-9 levels normalized.     

A case of mediastinal mature teratoma accompanying elevated CA 19-9 and CEA in the cystic fluid

Fourteen year old female visited our hospital suffering from anterior chest pain. Chest CT revealed anterior mediastinal mass which had multiple cystic lesions, 8.5 x 7.0 x 5.5 cm in size. Tumor extirpation had performed by median sternotomy and pathological diagnosis was mature teratoma. CA 19-9 and CEA in the cystic fluid had elevated 32,790 U/ml and 768 ng/ml, respectively.     

Mediastinal mature teratoma perforated into the pericardial sac: a case report

Mature teratomas occasionally rupture into adjacent organs such as lung, bronchus, mediastinum and pericardial sac. However, perforation into the pericardial sac is rare. We experienced a case of mediastinal mature teratoma perforated into the pericardial sac. A 16-year-old man was admitted to our hospital due to sudden severe anterior chest pain. Chest X-ray showed a mass shadow in the right middle lung field. Chest CT scan and MRI demonstrated a heterogeneous mass with fat component in the right anterior mediastium adjacent to the pericardium. Some squamous cells were obtained from the mass by CT guided percutaneous needle biopsy. Operation was performed with the diagnosis of mediastinal teratoma. The mass adhered to the pericardium and turbid pericardial effusion was noted. The mass was removed with the pericardium. The mass was 9 x 6.5 x 6 cm in size, which contained yellow sebaceous material and a tuft of white hair. The pathological diagnosis of the mass was mature cystic teratoma with perforation into the pericardial sac.     

Lung carcinoma producing carbohydrate antigen 19-9; report of a case

A 58-year-old female was admitted to our hospital for investigation of serum elevation of carbohydrate antigen (CA 19-9). Computed tomography of the chest revealed a spiculated pulmonary nodule with the longest diameter of 3.7 cm in the right lower lobe. The diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma was made. The patient underwent right lower lobectomy with lymphnode dissection. Histological examination revealed acinar type adenocarcinoma. The tumor was classified as stage IB with T2aN0M0. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells stained positively for CA19-9. The serum CA19-9 level returned to a normal level after operation, but increased again with mediastinal lymphnode metastasis and brain metastasis. She died after an operation in 16 months.     

A case of primary urotherial carcinoma with glandular differentiation of the renal pelvis with high serum level of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9)

A 63-year-old man visited our hospital with body weight loss. Laboratory examination revealed a high serum level of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) and LDH. There were no abnormal findings in the gastrointestinal tract. Enhanced abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed a renal tumor, 5×3 cm in diameter, in the right lower pole and multiple lymph node swelling. The right renal tumor was not a typical renal cell carcinoma, so we considered the presence of bellini duct carcinoma and renal pelvis carcinoma, we performed right nephroureterectomy. Histopathological diagnosis was urothelial carcinoma with glandular differentiation of the renal pelvis. Post operation chemotherapy with GC (gemcitabine/cisplatin: 3-cycle), MVAC (methotrexate/vinblastine/doxorubicin/cisplatin: 1-cycle), TS-1 + CBDCA (tegafur-gimeracil-oteracil potassium/carboplatin: 3-cycle) was performed for lymph node metastasis, but he died of cachexia 18 months after operation.     

Metastatic prostate cancer with elevated serum levels of CEA and CA19-9

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is well known as a specific tumor marker for prostate cancer, but carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)- and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9)-elevating adenocarcinomas originating in the prostate gland are rare. We report a case of metastatic adenocarcinoma of the prostate gland with a high serum level of CEA and CA19-9 in a 78-year-old man in whom prostate cancer (T3N1M1) had been diagnosed 2 years ago and who was treated with androgen deprivation therapy. He visited the emergency department because of a loss of appetite and abdominal pain. The serum CEA and CA19-9 levels were increased to 218.9 ng/mL (normal, <5 ng/mL) and 212 ng/mL (normal, <27 ng/mL), respectively. The serum PSA level was slightly elevated (4.41 ng/mL). Computed tomography demonstrated multiple liver metastases, para-aortic lymph node enlargement, and lung metastases. A liver biopsy was performed and the specimen showed high-grade adenocarcinoma with focal positive staining for PSA. Despite chemotherapy with docetaxel, the patient died 3 months after treatment. Based on this case and a review of the literature, an aggressive variant of prostatic carcinoma with a high serum level of CEA and CA19-9 and a low PSA level was shown to progress rapidly with a poor prognosis.     

Mediastinal bronchogenic cyst associated with high serum level of CA19-9 —A surgical case report—

We reported a case of mediastinal bronchogenic cyst in a patient with a high serum level of CA19-9. The patient, a 41-year-old man, presented with a complaint of persistent fever. Chest X-ray examination, computed tomograp-hy and magnetic resonance imaging showed a subcarinal mass shadow which was diagnosed preoperatively as a bronchogenic cyst. The serum level of CA19-9 was 73 U/ml. The cyst was partially removed via right thoracotomy. Histopathological findings were compatible with bronchogenic cyst. The CA19-9 level in the specimen was 134000 U/ml. The serum level of CA19-9 decreased to normal postoperatively. The postoperative course was uneventful.     

A case of pyonephrosis caused by ureteral stones with elevated serum levels of CA19-9]

A case of pyonephrosis with high levels of serum CA19-9 antigen is reported. A 71-year-old woman was admitted with right flank pain. Computed tomography and ultrasonography showed severe hydronephrosis and hydroureter due to a right ureter stone. Laboratory data revealed a high level of serum CA19-9. However, no tumor was found in the pancreas, gallbladder, liver, gastrointenstinal tract or genitourinary tract. Drip infusion pyelography showed a non-functioning pattern of right kidney. Therefore, right nephroureterectomy was performed for right pyonephrosis. Histological examination revealed chronic inflammation. Malignant cells were not seen in the resected specimen. The serum CA19-9 levels before and after operation were 102.9 U/ml and 24 U/ml, respectively, being normal after the operation. Immunohistochemical examination revealed the presence of CA19-9 antigen in the urethelium, indicating its expression in the specimen. To our knowledge this might be the first case of pyonephrosis associated with high levels of serum CA19-9 antigen.     

Lymphoepithelial cyst of the pancreas associated with elevated CA 19-9 levels

An extremely rare case of a lymphoepithelial cyst associated with persistent elevation of serum carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 levels is described. A 72-year-old man was incidentally found to have a cystic tumor in the uncus of the pancreas and to have a high serum CA 19-9 level. At 2-year follow up, the tumor size had gradually increased and the high CA 19-9 level persisted. Because the malignant potential of the tumor could not be ruled out, a laparotomy was performed. The tumor was excised from the pancreas. On pathological examination, the tumor was proven to be a lymphoepithelial cyst. After the operation, the patient’s serum CA 19-9 level decreased to the normal range. Lymphoepithelial cysts of the pancreas are a rare, benign entity. They are true pancreatic cysts, characterized by a mature, keratinizing, squamous lining surrounded by lymphoid tissue. Because the treatment options and the prognosis of these entities are quite different from those of other cystic neoplasms of the pancreas, preoperative differential diagnosis is the main issue. Thus, although they are rare, lymphoepithelial cysts should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cystic tumors of the pancreas.     

The characteristics of the serum carcinoembryonic antigen and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 levels in gastric cancer cases

Purpose

Although carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 are the most commonly used tumor markers in gastric cancer, the differences in the characteristics of these two markers remain unclear, because most previous studies have included many patients who were positive for both markers.

Methods

We analyzed the available data on 1050 patients with gastric cancer who underwent R0 resection. The background characteristics and recurrence-free survivals (RFS) were compared between the single-positive patients for CEA or CA 19-9 and double-negative patients.

Results

Among these 1050 patients, 86 patients (8.2 %) were positive for CEA only, 77 patients (7.3 %) were positive for CA 19-9 only, and 867 patients (82.6 %) were double negative for both markers. Patients who were elderly, male and had a differentiated histology were more commonly observed in the CEA-positive group than in the double-negative group (P = 0.004, P = 0.009, and P = 0.001). The patients who were positive for either CEA or CA 19-9 had a significantly worse RFS than the patients who were negative for both (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001). The most frequent site of recurrence was the liver (9.3 %) in the CEA-positive group and the peritoneum (11.7 %) in the CA 19-9-positive group.

Conclusion

Age, sex, and histological type were thus found to be associated with CEA positivity. CEA is, therefore, considered to be a sensitive marker for liver recurrence, while CA 19-9 is a sensitive marker for peritoneal recurrence.

     

Primary paraganglioma of the urinary bladder with high serum CA19-9 level: a case report

A case of primary paraganglioma of the urinary bladder with a high serum CA19-9 level is reported. A 44-year-old woman visited our hospital with the chief complaint of lower abdominal pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination incidentally revealed a cystic bladder tumor. Cystoscopy disclosed a broad-based non-papillary tumor on the posterior wall of the urinary bladder. With the diagnosis of a bladder submucosal cystic tumor transurethral needle puncture and biopsy were performed. The solution sampled with puncture was bloody. The patient suddenly complained of headache and blood pressure was elevated to 215/120 mmHg when we held the tumor with a cold cup biopsy forceps. Catecholamine levels of the solution in the tumor were abnormally elevated. The serum CA19-9 level was also raised. Ten days later, she underwent partial cystectomy. Histological findings of the removed specimen showed primary paraganglioma of the urinary bladder. The serum CA19-9 level decreased to normal limits on the 28th postoperative day. Our experience suggests that the level of serum CA19-9 may serve as a useful index for observing the clinical course of a patient with this disease.     

Retroperitoneal cystadenoma containing elevated concentrations of CA125 and CA19-9 in the cyst fluid: a case report

A 67-year-old female presented with left abdominal distension. A huge retroperitoneal cystic mass, measuring over 20 cm in diameter, was found below the left kidney. The cyst was punctured percutaneously, and serous fluid was aspirated. It was noted that the concentrations of CA125 and CA19-9 in the fluid of the cyst were extremely elevated while those in the serum were normal. The cyst was resected easily without any adhesion. Microscopically, the cyst was lined with a mixture of ciliated and cuboidal serous cells and columnal mucinous cells. Immunohistochemical staining of the cyst wall proved positive for CA125 on serous cells, and for CA19-9 on mucinous cells.     

The correlation of serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 with benign hydronephrosis.

PURPOSE: High serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 in patients with hydronephrosis but without malignant disease is reportedly rare but to our knowledge the clinical features of hydronephrosis that affect this level have not yet been clarified. We examined the correlation of serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 with hydronephrosis status in patients with benign hydronephrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used 123 serum samples from 68 patients with and 55 without hydronephrosis. All patients enrolled in this study had no malignant disease. Serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 was measured by immunoradiometric assay and that level was correlated with clinical factors. RESULTS: Serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 in patients with hydronephrosis was significantly higher than in those without hydronephrosis (p <0.0001). The serum level was elevated to greater than 37 units per ml. in 25% of the patients with but in only 1.8% of those without hydronephrosis. In the hydronephrosis group the clinical features that significantly correlated with the increased serum level were bilateral hydronephrosis, urinary tract infection, proteinuria, increased serum blood urea nitrogen, severe urinary tract occlusion and high grade hydronephrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 was significantly elevated in patients with benign hydronephrosis. Hydronephrosis causes false-positive results when screening for malignant disease by serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 measurement.     

CA19-9-producing testicular tumor: a case report

A rare case of CA19-9-producing testicular tumor is reported. A 37-year-old male who had complained of high fever and right scrotal swelling was referred to our department. Ultrasonography and computed tomography demonstrated a right testicular tumor with right lung metastasis and aortocaval lymph node metastasis. Right high orchiectomy was performed. The histopathological diagnosis was mixed type of teratoma, yolk sac tumor, embryonal carcinoma and seminoma. Immuno-histochemical analysis showed CA19-9 to be expressed in the cancer cells. After 5 courses of combination chemotherapy, the operation for right lung metastasis was performed. The CA19-9 level was lowered to the normal range within four weeks after the first operation. He has been free of recurrence for about 18 months after the lung operation.     

Superficial urothelial carcinoma of ureter with elevated serum CA19-9 and CEA

We report a 77-year-old Japanese man with superficial ureteral carcinoma with elevation of serum CA19-9 and carcinoembryogenic antigen (CEA) at recurrence. We performed radical nephroureterectomy and partial bladder resection for the right ureteral carcinoma. Pathological diagnosis was UC, G2 > G1, pTa, NO, MO (according to UICC classification). Eighteen months later, local recurrence and multiple metastases were observed, accompanied by the elevation of serum CA19-9 and CEA. His autopsy specimens showed positive immunostaining for serum CA19-9 and CEA. In Ki-67 labeling index, the autopsy specimens showed higher scores than the surgical specimen.     

Carcinoembryonic antigen and carbohydrate antigen 19-9-producing adenocarcinoma of the prostate: report of an autopsy case

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) are well known as specific tumor markers of prostate cancer, but carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)- and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9)-producing adenocarcinoma originating in the prostate is rare. We report here a case of prostatic adenocarcinoma positive for these 4 tumor markers in a 50-year-old man who had initially complained about chest pain due to metastatic bone tumor. In spite of the extensive treatment involving hormone and radiation therapy, the patient died of rapid tumor extension only 4 months after initial diagnosis. Autopsy revealed multiple metastases to the bone, liver, lungs and lymph nodes. Histologically, two types of adenocarcinoma were involved in both primary prostate and metastatic sites: one was a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma positive for PSA and PAP but not CEA or CA19-9, and the other one was a less differentiated adenocarcinoma partially positive for CEA and CA19-9 but not for PSA or PAP. Based on this case and previous cases by review of the literature, CEA- and CA19-9-producing adenocarcinoma of the prostate was suggested to rapidly progress with multiple metastases and to show poor prognosis with strong resistance to any treatment.     

Significance of measurement of a carbohydrate antigenic determinant 19-9 (CA 19-9) for monitoring colorectal cancer patients

The significance of measurement of serum CA 19-9 levels and the correlation between the serum levels of CA 19-9 and CEA in 61 patients with colorectal cancer were investigated. CA 19-9 levels above 37 U/ml were found in 24.6 per cent, while CEA levels above 5 ng/ml were observed in 34.4 per cent. Elevation of one or both of two antigens was found in 44.3 per cent. In patients with elevated CA 19-9 levels, the CA 19-9 levels returned to normal after curative resections, whereas patients with normal levels of this antigen showed only slight or no differences after curative resections. Measurements of this antigen were useful for the evaluation of the effect of surgery, especially in patients with normal CEA levels and elevated CA 19-9 levels. Combination assays of these antigens may be more useful than CEA alone for monitoring colorectal cancer patients.