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