What is CA 19-9 (Cancer Antigen 19-9) ?
CA 19-9 is a carbohydrate antigen that can be found in both normal and cancerous cells. It is used to monitor cancers in the gastrointestinal system, such as pancreatic cancer and bile duct cancer.
What can CA 19-9 testing diagnose?
- CA19-9 is considered the best tumour marker for diagnosing and monitoring treatment outcomes for pancreatic cancer and bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma).
- It can also be detected in other types of cancer, such as stomach cancer and colon cancer.
- However, elevated CA19-9 levels do not always indicate cancer, as high levels can also occur in patients with conditions such as pancreatitis, gallstones, cirrhosis, or inflammatory bowel disease.
Normal CA19-9 levels:
The normal range for CA19-9 is 0 – 39 U/mL.
Preparation Before Undergoing a CA 19-9 Test
- There is no need to fast or avoid food and water before the test.
