Ca 19-9(Clia)

Cancer antigen 19-9 or CA 19-9 is a protein present in the body as a tumour marker. Tumour markers are those substances that cancer cells make or normal cells make in response to cancer developing in your body. Healthy people usually have normal levels of CA 19-9 in their blood. High levels of CA 19-9 often indicate pancreatic cancer. One may have high levels of CA 19-9 in other types of cancers like stomach cancer, colon cancer, bile duct cancer and in certain noncancerous conditions like liver cirrhosis and gallstones. The CA 19-9 Test helps detect the amount of the protein CA 19-9 in the blood. However, this test can only be used to screen for the presence of cancer. It cannot be used to diagnose cancer alone. You will need a set of other tests to confirm the diagnosis. The CA 19-9 Test helps monitor the progress of cancer and the effectiveness of your ongoing treatment. It also helps detect if cancer has relapsed after treatment. CA 19-9 is raised in cases of pancreatic cancer and other cancers like bile duct cancer, colon cancer and stomach cancer. It can also increase due to liver cirrhosis and gallstones. The CA 19-9 Test is not a diagnostic test for these conditions, but it helps detect a problem. This test is usually combined with other tests like imaging and biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. If you have already been diagnosed with cancer, periodic monitoring of the Cancer Antigen 19-9 can help evaluate how your cancer responds to the treatment. The CA 19-9 levels usually go down after proper treatment. The levels are compared to future levels taken during your cancer treatment and after your treatment. Your levels of CA 19-9 before and after your cancer treatment helps identify the time required for cancer treatment. Your doctor can give you an estimate of the probable outcome of your disease with the help of the CA 19-9 Test. After you have completed your cancer treatment, whether surgical or medical or both, you need to check for evidence of recurrence. Cancers can relapse over time and may not be detected right away. In such cases, the CA 19-9 Test procedure helps detect if there is an underlying cause for cancer.