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95138 What is the CA 19.9 Test?
CA 19.9, or Carbohydrate Antigen 19.9, is an antigen. An antigen is any substance that elicits your body’s immune system. Carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19.9 is a type of antigen released by pancreatic cancer cells. Such an antigen that tells us about the biological nature of the tumour is called a tumour marker.
CA 19.9 test, also known as the CA 19.9 radio-immunoassay (RIA) test, is a diagnostic test to detect CA 19.9 levels in the blood. This test, however, is not used as a screening test for cancer. That said, some conditions other than cancers can also produce higher levels of CA 19.9.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the CA 19.9 Test used for?
The primary use for CA 19.9 test is to serve as a surrogate marker for relapse and prognosis. Based on its levels, the treatment protocol is better understood. A decrease in antigen levels indicates that the treatment is going well; a rise in levels indicates that the tumour has recurred. It can also help distinguish between pancreatic cancer and other diseases of the gland.
Why do I need the CA 19.9 Test?
If you are at risk for cancer by your doctor or have ongoing cancer treatment, the test may be needed to see how well the treatment is going.
It can be helpful to determine a treatment plan for pancreatic cancer and check whether it has returned. It may be beneficial in some other cancers as well.
What happens during the CA 19.9 Test?
In this test, a blood sample is taken from the patient through a vein. It is then sent to a laboratory for testing to find the level of CA 19.9 in the blood. The measurement is done using a radio-immunoassay, or RIA, test. You can expect the results in 24 to 36 hours.
Are there any prerequisites for the test?
No, there are no prerequisites for the test. However, let your physician know about all the medicines, herbal remedies, vitamins, and supplements you are taking, including any medications not requiring a prescription or any other substances you might use or abuse.
Are there any risks to the test?
Like any other blood test with a needle, this too has certain risks such as bleeding, infection, bruising, and lightheadedness. The sensation of pain may be felt when the needle pricks the arm or the hand. Afterward, the site may be sore.
Understanding the CA 19.9 test results
The results are given in units per millilitre (U/mL).
What is the normal CA 19-9 level?
Normal results range from 0-37 U/mL. It's important to understand that higher levels of CA 19-9 may not automatically mean that you have cancer.
What is considered a high CA 19-9 level?
- CA 19.9 is above 37 U/mL indicates a cancerous condition, especially of the pancreas
- CA 19.9 is higher than normal, but less than 75 U/mL ususally indicates infections of the hepatobiliary system and not cancer
Does CA 19-9 fluctuate?
According to research, a patient's CA 19-9 level decreases after resection. CA 19-9 levels fluctuate without significant clinical symptoms upon receiving chemotherapy. The levels may increase if cancer has recurred.
What can raise CA 19-9?
CA 19.9 is raised in any of the following conditions -
- Cancer
- Pancreas
- Biliary Cancer
- Hepatocellular
- Gastric, ovarian, colorectal (less often)
- Lung, breast, uterus (rare)
- Other conditions
- Acute cholangitis
- Cirrhosis and other liver diseases (gallstones)
References:
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15190651/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3633106/
- https://columbiasurgery.org/pancreas/diagnosis#:~:text=The%20normal%20range%20of%20CA,levels%20of%20CA%2019%2D9.
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-65720-8
- https://www.hematologyandoncology.net/archives/january-2013/tumor-marker-is-it
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