An increase in CA 19-9 may indicate the presence of neoplastic processes in the pancreas, biliary tract, stomach and colon. However, the values may also increase during benign conditions, such as chronic pancreatitis or cirrhosis.
Increases in CA 19-9 have also been reported in non-neoplastic liver diseases, including liver cirrhosis; in the latter case, the values of the marker seem to be correlated with the degree of fibrosis and the severity of the disease.
, in the urine or other body fluids, in the presence of certain neoplasms).
CA 19-9 is used, in particular, as a marker in the diagnosis and follow-up of gastrointestinal cancers. Usually, the antigen is used for pancreatic cancer, but also for other types of neoplastic processes, such as those of the biliary tract, stomach and colorectal. In the latter case, the dosage of CA 19-9 is associated with the analysis of another marker, the CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen).
The 19-9 Carbohydrate Antigen is considered reliable both for evaluating tumor extension and for monitoring post-operative progress. However, it should be noted that patients with pancreatic cancer do not always have an elevation in CA- In addition, this parameter can also be elevated in the presence of inflammation of the biliary tract or other diseases.
For this reason, when an anomalous value of CA-19-9 is detected, it is advisable to investigate further with the determination of the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), bilirubin, and / or hepatic panel, in the presence of symptoms suggestive of cancer of the pancreas These include: abdominal pain, nausea, jaundice and weight loss.
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