BACKGROUND: Although many biochemical markers have been examined in pancreatic
cancer none are definitive for pre-operative diagnosis. This systematic review examines
studies using biochemical markers for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in order to
appraise their role in contemporary management algorithms. METHODS: A search of the
MEDLINE database was undertaken using the key words pancreatic neoplasm and serum
tumour marker. Only studies providing original data on sensitivity and specificity are …