Non-invasive adenomatous component in carcinoma of papilla of Vater: an immunohistochemical study of carbohydrate antigen, CA19-9.

Eleven patients with carcinoma of papilla of Vater accompanied by non-invasive adenomatous component (nac) had good prognosis after surgical resection. These carcinomas were associated with low serum CA19-9 levels seldom invaded or metastasized to the pancreas, duodenum, lymph node and vein. On the contrary, 12 patients whose carcinomas lacked in 'nac' had poor prognosis after resection. The 'nac' negative carcinomas invaded or metastasised more frequently to the pancreas, duodenum, lymph node and vein. A half of the 'nac' negative carcinoma showed high serum level of CA19-9. A significant different immunohistochemical pattern of CA19-9 was demonstrated between the 'nac' positive and negative carcinomas. The former showed partial, while the latter showed diffuse distribution pattern.