What does a CA 19-9 test for?
What does a CA 19-9 test for?
CA 19-9 is used as a tumor marker: To monitor response to pancreatic cancer treatment and/or cancer progression. To watch for pancreatic cancer recurrence. Sometimes to aid in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.
What level of CA 19-9 indicates cancer?
If your CA 19-9 is above 37 U/mL, you may have cancer of the pancreas, liver, gallbladder, lung, colon, or stomach.
What are CA 19-9 levels at death?
The cutoff values of CA19-9 used in previous studies were varied. Among them, a value of 37 U/mL was most frequently used. This cutoff value is also recommended as the upper limit of the normal range for CA19-9, which is elevated in 70% to 80% of pancreatic cancer patients.
Do I need to fast for CA 19-9?
The Carbohydrate Antigen (CA) 19-9 Blood Test is used primarily to monitor response to pancreatic cancer therapy and to monitor recurrence, sometimes to help diagnose pancreatic cancer. However, CA 19-9 may also be elevated with the presence of other cancers. Preparation: No fasting required.
What is a normal CA 19-9 level?
The normal range of CA 19-9 is between 0 and 37 U/mL (units/milliliter), but people with pancreatic cancer often have higher levels. Not every pancreatic cancer will cause elevated levels of CA 19-9, and some non-cancerous conditions (like pancreatitis and jaundice) can cause high levels of CA 19-9.
How reliable is CA 19-9?
Overall, an elevated serum CA 19-9 level has a sensitivity of 79–81% and a specificity of 82–90% for diagnosing pancreatic cancer in symptomatic patients.
Can CA 19-9 be elevated for no reason?
In two individuals, there was no obvious cause for the elevation of this marker. CA 19-9 levels were significantly lower in benign than in malignant conditions. In conclusion, elevated CA 19-9 may be found in patients with benign as well as malignant disease.
What is considered a normal CA 19-9 level?
The normal CA 19-9 range in a healthy person is 0-37 units per milliliter. CA 19-9 levels can be higher in patients with pancreatic cancer. In general: Rising CA 19-9 values mean the tumor is growing.
How high can a CA 19-9 get?
Especially in the case of acute cholangitis, CA 19-9 may be elevated higher than 1,000 U/mL.
What causes CA 19-9 rise?
The reason for CA 19-9 elevation in benign disease can be explained by several mechanisms. First of all, inflammation and proliferation of non-tumorous tissue, such as in pancreatitis, cholangitis, bronchiectasis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, ovarian cyst, and endometriosis, can elevate CA 19-9.
Can pancreatitis elevate CA 19-9?
Serum CA 19-9 and alpha-fetoprotein levels in primary hepatocellular carcinoma and liver cirrhosis. Pancreatitis also causes elevated CA 19-9 levels, but such levels rarely exceed 100 to 120 units/ml.
What does a CA 19-9 blood test look for?
This test looks for the antigen called CA 19-9 in your blood. Antigens are substances that stimulate your body’s immune system. Certain types of cancer cells send the CA 19-9 antigen into the blood, where it can be measured with this test.
What does carbohydrate antigen ( CA ) 19-9 stand for?
Carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 is a type of antigen released by pancreatic cancer cells. It can also be referred to as a tumor marker. The CA 19-9 Radioimmunoassay (RIA) is a blood test that measures the CA 19-9 level in the blood.
Can a person with pancreatic cancer test negative for CA 19-9?
Not everyone with pancreatic cancer will develop high levels of CA 19-9. Five to ten percent of Caucasians have a particular blood type described as Lewis negative and these people test negative for CA 19-9 even if they have pancreatic cancer. Is there anything else I should know? Unfortunately, early pancreatic cancer gives few warnings.
What causes a high amount of CA 19-9?
Certain types of cancer cells send the CA 19-9 antigen into the blood, where it can be measured with this test. A high amount of CA 19-9 is most commonly caused by pancreatic cancer. But it can also be caused by the other cancers and by infections in your liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.