CIRCULATING PANCREATIC-POLYPEPTIDE IN PATIENTS WITH ADENOCARCINOMA OFTHE BILE-DUCT

Using radioimmunoassay methods, the blood of patients with pancreatic tumors was screened for circulating polypeptide hormones. This screeni ng discovered pancreatic polypeptide in abnormally high concentration in the serum of six of seven patients with adenocarcinomas of the bile duct. The assay appears to be very sensitive finding excessive residu al pancreatic polypeptide production after palliative resections. Seru m pancreatic polypeptide assays warrant evaluation as an aid in the di agnosis and management of patients with bile duct tumors.