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Cancer antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) Test
Cancer antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) Test
Cancer antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) is a protein that exists on the surface of certain cancer cells. CA 19-9 does not cause cancer; rather, it is shed by the tumor cells, making it useful as a tumor marker to follow the course of the cancer.
CA 19-9 is elevated in 70% to 95% of people with advanced pancreatic cancer, but it may also be elevated in other cancers, conditions, and diseases such as colorectal cancer, lung cancer, gallbladder cancer, bile duct obstruction (e.g., gallstones), pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, and liver disease. Small amounts of CA 19-9 are present in the blood of healthy people.
CA 19-9 is not sensitive or specific enough to use as a screening test for cancer, and it is not diagnostic of a specific type of cancer. Its main use is as a tumor marker:
- To help differentiate between cancer of the pancreas and other conditions, such as pancreatitis
- To monitor a person’s response to pancreatic cancer treatment and/or cancer progression
- To watch for pancreatic cancer recurrence
CA 19-9 can only be used as a tumor marker if the cancer is producing elevated amounts of it. Since CA 19-9 is elevated in about 65% of those with bile duct (hepatobiliary) cancer, it may be ordered to help evaluate and monitor people with this type of cancer.
CA 19-9 may be ordered along with other tests, such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), bilirubin, and/or a liver panel, when a person has symptoms that may indicate pancreatic cancer. These symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, weight loss, and jaundice.
If CA 19-9 is initially elevated in pancreatic cancer, then it may be ordered several times during cancer treatment to monitor response and on a regular basis following treatment to help detect recurrence.
Sample :
Whole Blood.
Cancer antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) Test
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