The CA 19-9 value, which is seen in blood test results, is a type of carbohydrate antigen. Since it is considered to be directly related to pancreatic cancer, its height may cause concern, but it may increase from time to time due to benign diseases. Let’s see what CA 19-9 is and what its height means in all details.
We see many different values in the results after having a blood test, and these can be confusing if we are not a healthcare professional. CA 19-9 is one of them. CA 19-9 is a type of carbohydrate antigen and directly associated with pancreatic cancer It is considered a cancer marker. For this reason, in cases where it is high, it may cause anxiety in many people, but diseases other than cancer can also increase this value.
A high CA 19-9 value may cause cancer suspicion in your physician, and therefore different tests may be requested. However, since some benign diseases can also increase the CA 19-9 value, no definitive diagnosis can be made just because this value is high. Bride What is CA 19-9, what does its height mean, in which diseases it increases Let’s see the answers to frequently asked questions such as:
First of all, what is CA 19-9?
Although it is a glycoprotein antigen according to some experts, it is generally accepted as a carbohydrate antigen. CA 19-9 is a cancer antigen and tumor marker. Even though it is related to many cancer types and benign diseases, since it is considered to be associated with pancreatic cancer, its height raises suspicion of cancer and is also evaluated to measure the response to pancreatic cancer treatment.
What should be the normal value range of CA 19-9?
The value of CA 19-9 in blood test results It is considered normal value if it is below 37 U / mL. A value above 37 U/mL is considered high, and a value below 5 U/mL is considered low. However, if it is low, it does not cause concern and its accuracy is checked by requesting different tests.
Don’t immediately think of cancer: What does a high CA 19-9 mean?
Cases where the CA 19-9 value is above 37 U/mL is considered as CA 19-9 elevation. Because this antigen is directly related to pancreatic cancer, when it’s high cancer is suspected first. However, the CA 19-9 value alone is not sufficient to diagnose cancer.
Why does CA 19-9 rise?
- pancreatic cancer
- Cholangiocarcinoma, a type of cancer that develops in the biliary tract
- Types of liver cancer
- Gastric cancer
- Colon cancer
- Lung cancer types
- Adenocarcinoma
- Types of ovarian cancer
- Types of esophageal cancer
- breast cancer
- cancer of the uterus
- Inflammation of the pancreas called pancreatitis
- Bile duct inflammation
- Cirrhosis
- Types of hepatitis
- gallstone formation
- Thyroid diseases
- Inflammatory bowel diseases
- Cystic fibrosis
- Bile duct obstruction
- gallbladder infection
Here are some of the diseases that cause CA 19-9 elevation. As it can be understood from how long the list is, the CA 19-9 value is not increased only in pancreatic cancer or other cancer types, even if it is directly related. Because In cases where you encounter CA 19-9 height You don’t have to worry right away.
CA 19-9 levels are elevated in 80 percent of pancreatic cancers, 42 percent of stomach cancers, and 24 percent of colon cancers. However in simple conditions such as some infections and gallstone formation. It is seen that the CA 19-9 value is increased. Therefore, it alone is not enough to diagnose cancer.
How and why is the CA 19-9 test done?
The first test applied to measure the CA 19-9 value is a blood test. This value can be measured on a certain amount of blood taken from your arm. However, in cases where cancer is suspected or for different suspicions, the CA 19-9 value is measured by using methods such as taking fluid from the pancreas.
CA 19-9 test can be used as a cancer marker in bile duct, ovarian, gastrointestinal system, colon, hepatocellular, stomach and pancreatic cancers. However, at the same time biliary tract obstruction, thyroid diseases, It can also be measured for follow-up and treatment response for gallbladder infection, cirrhosis, gallstones, pancreatic inflammation, intestinal diseases. The most common area of use is to measure the response to pancreatic cancer treatment.
CA 19-9 may not always be measured during standard complete blood count tests because it is also used to measure this value. some preliminary symptoms must have been seen or a high level of related values must have been observed. Your doctor is the person who will guide you in this regard in the most correct way. Some of the tests requested along with the CA 19-9 test are as follows;
- CEA
- Computed tomography
- Ultrasonography
- MRI scan
- Biopsy
- Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio Pancreatography
What you need to know about pancreatic cancer:
Even if a high CA 19-9 value does not always mean pancreatic cancer, it is still useful to have some information. Pancreas, located behind the stomach It is an organ that produces hormones necessary for sugar regulation along with digestive enzymes. The condition that the cells that make up this organ lose their function and turn into uncontrolled tumors is called pancreatic cancer.
Unfortunately, the risk factors for pancreatic cancer are unknown, but Smoking is known to have a major impact. Conditions such as the age of the person, family history, diabetes, being male, having chronic pancreatitis, working in a job that will be exposed to chemicals increase the risk factor for pancreatic cancer.
Although not certain, the first symptoms of early-stage pancreatic cancer start in the stomach. Swelling in the stomach, constant feeling of discomfort and loss of appetite are the most common symptoms. Sudden onset of diabetes is one of the most striking symptoms of pancreatic cancer. Pancreatitis attack after alcohol can also be considered as a symptom.
When should you go to the doctor?
As with all types of cancer, early diagnosis saves lives in pancreatic cancer, but It is not right to live with the fear of getting cancer at any moment. You should know yourself well so that you can quickly notice the unusual situations in your body. It is recommended that you see a specialist doctor, especially in cases of stomach problems that occur for no reason or abnormally.
It can be elevated due to many different diseases, especially pancreatic cancer. What is CA 19-9, what does its height mean We talked about the details you need to know about the subject by answering frequently asked questions. What we describe is for informational purposes only. Remember that as with all health issues, you should get the most accurate and specific information about your CA 19-9 value from a specialist physician.