What is considered a high CA 19-9 level?

If your CA 19-9 is higher than normal but is less than 75 U/mL, you may have an infection of your pancreas, an infection of your gallbladder, liver disease, gallstones, or a disease called cystic fibrosis.

What can cause an elevated CA 19-9?

The reason for CA 19-9 elevation in benign disease can be explained by several mechanisms. First of all, inflammation and proliferation of non-tumorous tissue, such as in pancreatitis, cholangitis, bronchiectasis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, ovarian cyst, and endometriosis, can elevate CA 19-9.

Can CA 19-9 be elevated without cancer?

If you do not have cancer and your results show a higher than normal level of CA 19-9, it may be a sign of one of the following noncancerous disorders: Pancreatitis, a noncancerous swelling of the pancreas.

What is a low CA 19-9 level?

Low amounts of CA 19-9 can be detected in healthy people, and many conditions that affect the liver or pancreas can cause temporary elevations. Moderate to high levels may be seen in people with pancreatic cancer, other cancers, and in several other diseases and conditions.

How can I reduce my CA 19-9?

The response of CA 19-9 was the strongest independent predictor of survival (P < 0.001) in the multivariate analysis. In conclusion, a decrease of CA 19-9 > 20% during the first weeks of chemotherapy with gemcitabine is associated with a better survival of patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer.

How reliable is CA 19-9?

Overall, an elevated serum CA 19-9 level has a sensitivity of 79–81% and a specificity of 82–90% for diagnosing pancreatic cancer in symptomatic patients.

How long does it take to get CA 19-9 results?

However, CA 19-9 may also be elevated with the presence of other cancers. Preparation: No fasting required. Stop biotin consumption at least 72 hours prior to the collection. Test Results: 1-2 days.

Can pancreatitis elevate CA 19-9?

Serum CA 19-9 and alpha-fetoprotein levels in primary hepatocellular carcinoma and liver cirrhosis. Pancreatitis also causes elevated CA 19-9 levels, but such levels rarely exceed 100 to 120 units/ml.

Do I need to fast for CA 19-9?

The Carbohydrate Antigen (CA) 19-9 Blood Test is used primarily to monitor response to pancreatic cancer therapy and to monitor recurrence, sometimes to help diagnose pancreatic cancer. However, CA 19-9 may also be elevated with the presence of other cancers. Preparation: No fasting required.

Does CA 19-9 fluctuate?

The CA 19-9 level of the patient decreased from 120 U/mL pre-operation to 89 U/mL after resection. Upon receiving chemotherapy, his CA 19-9 level was fluctuating without significant clinical symptoms.

What does carbohydrate antigen ( CA ) 19-9 stand for?

Carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 is a type of antigen released by pancreatic cancer cells. It can also be referred to as a tumor marker. The CA 19-9 Radioimmunoassay (RIA) is a blood test that measures the CA 19-9 level in the blood.

What is the clinical significance of elevated levels of CA 19-9?

Therefore, it is important (1) that elevated levels of CA 19-9 are interpreted in the light of the clinical presentation of the patient and (2) to be aware of the benign conditions that can be associated with increased levels of this marker.

What causes elevation of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 elevation?

The causes of CA 19-9 elevation were determined in 147 (76.6%) patients, and that was unknown in 45 (23.4%). The estimated causative diseases were hepatic diseases in 63 patients, pulmonary diseases in 32, gynecologic diseases in 38, endocrine diseases in 13, and spleen disease in 1.

What kind of tumor marker is CA 19-9?

CA-19-9, also called cancer antigen-19-9 or sialylated Lewis (a) antigen, is a tumor marker used primarily in the management of pancreatic cancer.