... carcinomas other than pancreatic carcinomas (15 cases), benign pancreatic diseases (31 cases), benign biliary diseases (15 cases) and healthy volunteers (33 cases) were analyzed for MIC-1 and TPS and the results were compared with CA 19-9. Results: Serum MIC-1 levels increased more significantly in patients...

... algorithm we routinely employ a combination of clinical suspicion, a high-resolution helical CT scan and a serum CA 19-9 level. Endoscopic ultrasonography is useful in the patient in whom CT findings are equivocal, or in whom a tissue diagnosis is desired. Laparoscopy is reserved for patients with suspected...