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CA19.9
Overview
What is CA-GI, CA 19-9?
CA 19-9 test is done to primarily monitor the response to treatment of pancreatic cancer. It also helps in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer as well as to watch for its recurrence. CA is also known as cancer antigen or Carbohydrate antigen.
Why is CA-GI, CA 19-9 done?
The CA 19-9 test is done during the treatment of pancreatic cancer. However, it can also be done following the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
What does CA-GI, CA 19-9 Measure?
CA 19-9 test measures the levels of CA 19-9 in the blood. CA 19-9 is a protein that exists on the surface of certain cancer cells and does not cause cancer. CA 19-9 is shed by the tumor cells.
CA 19-9 can be measured in the blood which makes this test very helpful as a tumor marker. It is useful to follow the course of cancer. Its levels get raised in about 70% - 95% of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.
The levels of CA 19-9 are found to be elevated in other cancers such as gallbladder and cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer), colorectal cancer, ovarian cancer, gastric cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, obstruction of bile duct, inflammation of the pancreas, cystic fibrosis, disease of thyroid, and disease of the liver.
In healthy people, CA 19-9 is found in small amounts in the blood. CA 19-9 cannot be used by itself for screening or diagnosis as it is not specific for pancreatic cancer.
Interpreting CA-GI, CA 19-9 results
Interpretations
Disease | %age positivity of CA 19-9 |
Pancreatic cancer | 80 |
Hepatobiliary cancer | 67 |
Gastric cancer | 40 - 50 |
Hepatocellular cancer | 30 - 50 |
Colorectal cancer | 30 |
Breast cancer | 15 |
Pancreatitis | 10 - 20 |
Benign gastrointestinal diseases | 10 - 20 |
Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about CA-GI, CA 19-9
Frequently Asked Questions about CA19.9
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