Cancer / Screening
Also known as: cancer antigen 19-9, carbohydrate antigen 19-9, CA 19-9 measurement
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin), unexplained weight loss, severe abdominal (belly) pain, weakness, or a swollen gallbladder or liver should prompt you to contact your doctor immediately.
This test checks how much of a protein called CA 19-9 is in your blood. This protein is a tumor marker. Cancer cells can make it. Normal cells can also make it when they react to cancer.
Your doctor orders this test for a few reasons. It helps them check on certain cancers and how well treatment is working. It can also help predict how a sickness might get better or worse. Doctors use it to see if cancer has come back after treatment. You might also get this test if you have symptoms that could be linked to these cancers.
Reference ranges for CA 19-9 can vary by lab and the test method used. It's important to have tests done the same way, usually in the same lab, to compare results over time.
Clinical Reference
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Educational purposes only — This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always discuss your lab results with your healthcare provider.