СА 19-9 - Carbohydrate, carcinogenic antigen (blood)

General Information

CA 19-9 is a protein that is produced in the body in response to the tumor process. In the body of a healthy person, these types of proteins are in low concentration. An increase in the amount of CA 19-9 often indicates a tumor of the pancreas, although it may occur during gallstone disease, liver cirrhosis.

Since the increase of the mentioned protein characterizes processes other than cancer, it is not useful for screening the disease. The study is used to monitor the course of the disease and treatment. In some cases, the tumor process does not cause an increase in this marker, which is why its use for monitoring is useless.

CA 19-9 determination is required in cases of tumors of the following organs:

Pancreas

bile ducts

Rectum and colon (large intestine)

abdominal cavity

ovaries

Bladder

Interpretation of results

CA 19-9 (as well as other markers) may need to be measured several times during cancer treatment to assess treatment effectiveness or disease progression.

• Elevated CA 19-9 levels may indicate tumor growth and/or treatment failure. Further studies are needed
• A decrease in CA 19-9 indicates stabilization of the condition and/or effectiveness of treatment.
• If the CA 19-9 level decreases after treatment but then rises again, this may indicate disease recurrence or the development of metastases. It is necessary to conduct additional studies.

Sometimes the CA 19-9 level increases even without cancer. If the marker is elevated in the absence of cancer, this condition does not require treatment. CA 19-9 elevated concentration may indicate:

• on pancreatitis
• Diseases of the biliary tract (including blockage and infections)
• on gastritis
• Gallstone disease
• on liver diseases
• on cystic fibrosis

In case of doubt about these conditions, it is necessary to conduct additional instrumental and laboratory studies.