Prognostic value of serological markers in carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater after radical surgery

Objectives: Increased CA199 serum level is a key prognostic factor of carcinoma of the ampulla of vater (CAV) after surgery; the prognostic value of other serum markers like CA242, CEA, LDH, NLR and TBIL has yet not been defined. Methods: We pooled one week pre-treatment data on serum factors from 147 CAV patients in Tumor Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 1998 to December 2012. The serum factors related to the recurrence and prognosis of patients after surgical resection were retrospectively analyzed using univariate and multivariate methods. Results: Univariate analysis revealed that CA199 (P=0.000), CA242 (P=0.003), NLR (P=0.005) and TBIL (P=0.018) were factors that significantly affected the prognosis of CAV. Multivariate analysis showed that the CA199 (P=0.006), CA242 (P=0.022) and NLR (P=0.025) were independent risk factors of recurrence. Conclusion: The preoperative CA199, CA242 and NLR serum level are key prognostic factors of CAV after radical surgery, which is valuable in diagnosis and prognosis in CAV.