What is a high level of CA 19-9?

Here is what your results may mean: If your CA 19-9 is less than 37 U/mL, you may not have cancer. If your CA 19-9 is above 37 U/mL, you may have cancer of the pancreas, liver, gallbladder, lung, colon, or stomach.

What cancers does CA 19-9 detect?

A high CA 19-9 is usually related to pancreatic cancer. But other cancers, like colorectal, lung and gallbladder cancers, can also cause raised levels.

What can cause a tumor marker to rise?

Tumor marker levels may be higher when there is cancer in the body. They are not very “specific,” meaning non-cancer health issues can also cause these levels to be higher. They must be used along with radiology tests and exams by your healthcare provider.

Can stress cause tumors?

No, being stressed doesn’t directly increase the risk of cancer. The best quality studies have followed up many people for several years. They have found no evidence that those who are more stressed are more likely to get cancer.

What causes elevated ca 19 9?

CA 19-9 may sometimes be ordered when a healthcare practitioner suspects bile duct cancer in a person with a bile duct obstruction. Non-cancerous causes of bile duct obstruction can cause very high CA 19-9 levels, which fall when the blockage is cleared.

What does elevated ca 19 9 mean?

High levels of CA 19-9 are often a sign of pancreatic cancer. But sometimes, high levels can indicate other types of cancer or certain noncancerous disorders, including cirrhosis and gallstones. Because high levels of CA 19-9 can mean different things, the test is not used by itself to screen for or diagnose cancer.

What is ca 19 9 testing for?

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. Healthy people can have small amounts of CA 19-9 in their blood.

What is the tumor marker for pancreatic cancer?

The best known of the blood markers for pancreatic cancer is CA19-9, a “carbohydrate associated antigen” also known as a sialylated Lewis (a) antigen. This marker is somewhat uneven in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, but can be quite elevated in those with pancreatic cancer.