What is Cancer Antigen 199?

This test measures the amount of a protein called CA 19-9 (cancer antigen 19-9) in the blood. CA 19-9 is a type of tumor marker. Tumor markers are substances made by cancer cells or by normal cells in response to cancer in the body.

What the Cancer Antigen 199 test used for?

A CA 19-9 blood test may be used to:

• Monitor pancreatic cancer and cancer treatment. CA 19-9 levels often go up as cancer spreads, and go down as tumors shrink.
• See if cancer has returned after treatment.

The test is sometimes used with other tests to help confirm or rule out cancer

How is the procedure performed?

A blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm. You may want to wear a shirt with sleeves that can easily be rolled up to make it easier to collect the blood sample. This usually takes less than five minutes.

What will be the results interprets?

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. The highest levels of CA 19-9 are seen in cancer of the exocrine pancreas. Levels of CA 19-9 that are initially high and then fall over time may indicate that the treatment is working and/or that the cancer was removed successfully during surgery. Levels that remain high or rise over time may indicate that treatment is not working and/or that the cancer is recurring. 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
• Gallstones
• Bile duct blockage
• Liver disease
• Cystic fibrosis