CA 19 9 Test - Cancer antigen 19 9 Test

CA 19 9 blood test is done to monitor patients of malignancy especially pancreatic cancer, bile duct cancer and colon cancer. Serial monitoring is done to compare concentrations before and after treatment to assess effectiveness of treatment given and can help detect recurrence, metastasis and residual cancer
CA 19 9 blood test is not a effective tool to diagnose cancer

The goal of a CA 19-9 test is to quantify the blood level of CA 19-9. Testing may be carried out for a variety of reasons, such as:

1. Identifying cancer and other illnesses: Pancreatic cancer and other digestive tract tumours can cause an increase in CA 19-9. Non-cancerous diseases like liver scarring might potentially make it worse.
2. Evaluation of cancer therapy: For patients who have already received a cancer diagnosis. Routine CA 19-9 monitoring can assist medical professionals in assessing how the cancer is reacting to therapy.
3. Estimating cancer prognosis: One of several variables that may aid physicians in determining a patient's prognosis is the degree of elevation of CA 19-9. This is both at the time of initial diagnosis and following treatment.
4. Screening for cancer recurrence: Following surgical therapy for pancreatic cancer, patients may undergo CA 19-9 testing to assess for signs of a recurrence.

CA 19 9 blood test measures the tumor associated antigen(CA19.9). Somepatients may not express CA 19-9.

The goal of a CA 19-9 test is to quantify the blood level of CA 19-9. Pancreatic cancer cells exude an antigen called carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9. CA 19-9 might be a sign of certain malignancies or non-cancerous illnesses if it is present in high quantities.

CA 19 9 blood test requires a blood sample. A tourniquet (elastic) band is placed tightly on the upper arm. The patient is then asked to make a fist. This helps in the build-up of blood filling the veins. The skin is disinfected before needle insertion and the blood sample is collected in vacutainer.

Elevated values occur in cholangiocarcinoma, pancreatic cancer and colon cancer; they may also occur in non-cancerous conditions like cirrhosis, cholestasis and pacreatitis.
In benign conditions the result values are usually below 1000 U/mL.
Patients should do a follow-up testing preferably through the same laboratory as different assays can give different result values on the same sample

Your outcomes could signify the following:

• You might not have cancer if your CA 19-9 level is less than 37 U/mL.
• You might have colon, lung, pancreatic, or gallbladder cancer if your CA 19-9 level is higher than 37 U/mL.

If you are getting treated for pancreatic cancer:

• Your CA 19-9 levels are rising: This could indicate that your tumour is spreading or that your treatment is failing. To be certain, more testing is typically required.
• Your CA 19-9 levels are dropping: This may indicate that your treatment is effective and your tumour is reducing.
• Your CA 19-9 levels have not changed: This could indicate that your illness is steady. It hasn't improved or gone worse.
• After treatment, your CA 19-9 levels dropped; however, they later rose: This could indicate that your cancer has spread or returned. Additional tests are required to determine whether the elevated CA 19-9 level is the result of malignancy.

Results are expressed in units per millilitre (U/mL).

Less than 37 U/mL is the baseline for a normal result.

Fundamentally, DNA damage (or "mutations") is what causes pancreatic cancer. These DNA changes can develop in one of three ways: through inheritance, through actions like smoking, or chance.

A dull, fluctuating discomfort in the abdominal area (belly) and/or middle or upper back is a typical sign of pancreatic cancer. Because it might put pressure on the spine, this is most likely the result of a tumour that has developed in the pancreas' body or tail.

Cancer Antigen 19-9

Carbohydrate antigen 19-9

People with the following symptoms should do the CA-19.9 serum test

• Radiating pain from abdomen to back
• Decreased appetite
• Unexplained weight loss
• The darker colour of urine than normal
• Blood clots
• Yellowing of skin and sclera
• Nausea
• Fluid in the abdomen

The CA 19-9 Test is a blood test that measures the level of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) in the blood. CA 19-9 is a tumor marker produced by certain cancer cells and some healthy cells, primarily used to monitor the progression and treatment response of pancreatic cancer and other related cancers.

The CA 19-9 Test is essential for monitoring cancer treatment response, detecting recurrence, and supporting the diagnosis of pancreatic and other cancers when it is used with other diagnostic tools. It also provides valuable information on disease progression, aiding in informed treatment decisions.

No, the CA 19-9 Test is not a definitive diagnostic tool for pancreatic cancer. While elevated levels may indicate the presence of cancer, they can also be caused by non-cancerous conditions. It is typically used as part of a broader diagnostic process that includes imaging and biopsy for a more accurate diagnosis.

Several factors can influence CA 19-9 levels, including the presence of cancer (such as pancreatic or other related cancers), non-cancerous conditions (like pancreatitis, liver diseases, and gallstones), genetic variation (5% of people don't produce CA 19-9), and radiation therapy (can give false-positive results).

There is no specific age limit for the CA 19-9 Test. It can be performed at any age if there is a clinical indication, such as suspected pancreatic cancer, or for monitoring treatment response and recurrence.

The benefits of the CA 19-9 Test include monitoring treatment response, detecting recurrence, supporting diagnosis, and guiding treatment decisions based on the disease's progression.

No, fasting is not required prior to the CA 19-9 Test. However, it is crucial to inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, herbs, or vitamins you are taking, as they may influence the accuracy of the results.

Yes, home sample collection for the CA 19-9 Test is available at certain diagnostic labs, including Metropolis Healthcare. They provide the convenience of at-home testing, where a trained healthcare professional will visit your home to collect the blood sample, enabling you to complete the test without having to go to a clinic.

The time to receive CA 19-9 Test results can vary based on the lab, but typically, the results are available after 8 hours, depending on when the sample was collected and processed.