Cancer marker profile (Gall Bladder)

The Cancer marker profile (Gall Bladder)- measures the Ca 19.9, CEA levels in the blood.

• The test is useful for the initial screening of cancer: This may include patients with suspected clinical signs and symptoms of gall bladder cancer.
• For monitoring treatment and relapse in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. 
• The test may be used as a prognostic marker for survival following pancreatic or gall bladder surgery.
• To know the stage of cancer as well as the metastasis status
• The test can help detect recurrence, metastasis and residual cancer: This may even include patients with a history of cancer of other organs like breast, lung, pancreas etc.

Gall bladder is a rare form of cancer and often goes undetected due to the lack of specific signs and symptoms. Some clinical signs that may require further testing may include:

• Abdominal pain, mainly right upper abdomen.
• Abnormal abdominal bloating
• Jaundice (yellowing of eyes and skin)
• Uncontrolled loss of weight with malaise.

The other group of patients who may also require testing include:

• Patients already undergoing treatment for cancer.
• Patients who have completed the treatment to know the disease status.
• Familial history of cancers.
• Presence of high risk factors for gall bladder cancer like chronic alcoholic, smoker, high diabetic etc.

This 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.

None.

CEA test

A gross increase of CEA in a patient with compatible symptoms are suggestive of the presence of cancer. The results of this test when done over an interval help monitor condition of the patient and his response to treatment.

CEA levels fall after successful treatment to normal levels in 1-4 months

Levels may increase in certain non-cancerous conditions like smoking, hepatic disease, trauma, ulcerative colitis, pancreatitis, cirrhosis, COPD, Crohn's disease and hypothyroidism.

Patients should do a follow-up testing preferably through the same laboratory as different assays can give different result values on the same sample

CA 19.9 test

Elevated values occur in cholangiocarcinoma, pancreatic cancer and colon cancer; they may also occur in non-cancerous conditions like cirrhosis, cholestasis and pancreatitis.

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.

• CEA test
• Ca 19.9 test
• Gall bladder cancer test

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a glycoprotein and its concentration in blood increases in certain tumours i.e., colorectal cancer, medullary thyroid carcinoma, breast, gastrointestinal tract, liver, lung, ovarian, pancreatic and prostatic cancers.

It is often used for monitoring colorectal & gastrointestinal cancer patients and their response to treatment.

CA 19-9 is a modified blood group antigen. The levels of CA 19.9 are useful for diagnosis in patients with pancreatic carcinoma, bile duct carcinomas, gastric carcinomas, colon carcinomas, esophageal carcinomas and hepatocellular carcinoma.