BACKGROUND: Serum cancer antigen 19-9(CA19-9) provides additional information about mucinous cystic pancreatic neoplasm(MPN). This study was undertaken to assess both CA19-9 and carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA) serum concentrations in consecutive patients affected by MPNs and other chronic benign and malignant pancreatic diseases. We also evaluated whether serum CA19-9 and CEA determinations provide additional information such as the presence of invasive carcinoma in MPN patients.METHODS: Serum CA19-9 and CEA from 91 patients with pancreatic diseases were tested by commercially available kits at the time of diagnosis. The upper reference limit of serum CA19-9 was 37 U/m L and that of serum CEA was 3 ng/m L.RESULTS: Thirty-five patients was diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis(CP), 32 with MPN, and 24 with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC) confirmed histologically. Surgery was carried out in 5 CP patients, in 10 MPN patients(7 of them had severe dysplasia), and 9 PDAC patients. Serum CA19-9 activity was high in 12(34.3%) CP patients, in 7(21.9%) MPN patients, and in 12(50.0%) PDAC patients(P=0.089). High serum CEA concentrations were noted in 6(17.1%) CP patients, in 6(18.8%) MPN patients, and in 12(50.0%) PDAC patients(P=0.010). In the 7 MPN patients associated with histologically confirmed severe dysplasia, 3(42.9%) patients had elevated serum activity of serum CA19-9, and 2(28.6%) patients had high levels of CEA.CONCLUSION: Serum determination of oncological markers is not useful in selecting MPN patients with malignant changes. This study was carried to assess both CA19-9 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) serum concentrations in consecutive patients affected by MPNs and Other also benign and malignant pancreatic diseases. We also evaluate the serum CA19-9 and CEA determinations provide additional information such as the presence of invasive carcinoma in MPN patients. METHODS: Serum CA19-9 and CEA from 91 patients with pancreatic diseases were tested by Commercial available kits at the time of diagnosis. The upper reference limit of serum CA19-9 was 37 U / m L and that of serum CEA was 3 ng / m L.RESULTS: Thirty-five patients was diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis (CP) , 32 with MPN, and 24 with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) confirmed histologically. Surgery was carried out in 5 CP patients, in 10 MPN patients (7 of them had severe dysplasia), and 9 PDAC patients. Serum C High serum CEA concentrations were noted in 6 (17.1%) of the CP patients in 7 (21.9%) MPN patients and in 12 (50.0%) PDAC patients (P = 0.089) (7%) patients with elevated serum activity (P = 0.010). In 7 MPN patients associated with histologically confirmed severe dysplasia, 3 (42.9%) patients had elevated serum activity of serum CA19-9, and 2 (28.6%) patients had high levels of CEA.CONCLUSION: Serum determination of oncological markers is not useful in selecting MPN patients with malignant changes.