A 70-year-old man with painless jaundice and a pancreatic mass is most likely to have elevation of which tumor marker?

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Study for the NBME Form 13 Test with our comprehensive quiz collection, featuring flashcards and multiple-choice questions to ensure your readiness. Enhance your knowledge with detailed explanations for each question.

Multiple Choice

A 70-year-old man with painless jaundice and a pancreatic mass is most likely to have elevation of which tumor marker?

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma most classically raises CA 19-9. This marker is produced by pancreaticobiliary epithelial cells and tends to be elevated when a pancreatic mass obstructs the biliary tract, as seen with painless jaundice from a tumor in the head of the pancreas. CA 19-9 is used to monitor treatment response and recurrence, though it isn’t perfect for screening because some people never express it and biliary conditions can also raise levels. Other markers have different typical associations: CEA can be elevated in several cancers but is less specific for pancreatic cancer; AFP is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma and some germ cell tumors; CA-125 is associated with ovarian cancer. So CA 19-9 best fits the scenario of a pancreatic mass with painless jaundice.

A 70-year-old man with painless jaundice and a pancreatic mass is most likely to have elevation of which tumor marker?

Study for the NBME Form 13 Test with our comprehensive quiz collection, featuring flashcards and multiple-choice questions to ensure your readiness. Enhance your knowledge with detailed explanations for each question.

A 70-year-old man with painless jaundice and a pancreatic mass is most likely to have elevation of which tumor marker?

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