Lyu SC, Wang J, Huang M, et al. - Researchers intended to decrease the impact of biliary obstruction on carbohydrate antigen 19-9 level (CA19-9) by introducing the CA19-9 level to serum γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) ratio as an indicator, as well as eventually to unveil the correlation between CA19-9/GGT and the prognosis of patients suffering from pancreatic head carcinoma (PHC). This analysis involved 339 patients who had pancreatoduodenectomy for PHC. Using receiver operating characteristics curve obtained from preoperative CA19-9/GGT and 1-year survival, the optimal cut-off value was ascertained based on which patients were classified into a low-ratio group (Group 1, n=179) and a high-ratio group (Group 2, n=160). Experts defined 2.07 as the best cut-off value of CA19-9/GGT. Findings indicate a more precise role of CA19-9/GGT, vs CA19-9 level alone, in the assessment of postoperative tumor recurrence and the long-term prognosis of PHC patients. It was observed that the lower the ratio, the better the long-term prognosis. The likely usefulness of the CA19-9/GGT ratio was suggested for detecting PHC cases at high risk of early recurrence and unfavorable prognosis.