The type of cancer suspected and the patient's symptoms determine an extensive range of cancer tests available. Cancer antigen 19-9, or carbohydrate antigen 19-9, is a blood test that measures the level of cancer in the human body. In most cases, high levels of CA 19-9 often indicate a sign of pancreatic cancer. Let us explore the level of CA 19-9 that indicates cancer.
The CA 19-9 blood test measures the amount of a protein called CA 19-9 cancer antigen 19-9 in a sample of your blood. In reaction to cancer in your body, the CA 19-9 is a form of tumour marker. CA 19-9 levels higher than 37 U/mL may indicate cancer.
If you are undergoing treatment to cure the cancer, you have to be tested several times. Your provider will examine all of your test results to see how your CA 19-9 levels have changed. The test results may show:
Elevated CA 19-9 levels frequently indicate pancreatic cancer. However, elevated levels may also indicate other cancers or non-cancer diseases. For instance, liver disease and pancreatitis can increase the CA 19-9 levels. Here are some of the other cancers or diseases associated with elevated CA 19-9:
The process of the CA 19-9 blood test might be long, but technicians complete it in a single day. The steps below describe how serum levels of cancer antigen 19-9 are found:
The risk of the CA 190-9 blood test is very low, and you may feel a slight pain or bruising at the needle insertion site. A small percentage of people might experience dizziness or nausea, or even sweating, during the test. However, most of the symptoms disappear quickly.
You might require CA 19-9 testing to determine whether the cancer has returned after your treatment is finished. For a CA 19-9 blood test, there are no specific preparations to take. Before the test, you might need to stop taking certain supplements. To get more information regarding this, you may consult your provider.