Go Back to Directory

Cancer Antigen (CA) 19-9

Test ID:

704770

CPT code:

86301

Synonyms:

CA 19-9

Clinical Use:

Monitor gastrointestinal, pancreatic, liver, and colorectal malignancies

Additional Test Information:

This assay intended for the in vitro quantitative determination of CA 19-9 tumor-associated antigen in human serum and plasma.1The assay is indicated for the serial measurement of CA 19-9 to aid in the management of patients diagnosed with cancers of the exocrine pancreas. The test is useful as an aid in the monitoring of disease status in those patients having confirmed pancreatic cancer who have levels of CA 19-9 at some point in their disease process exceeding the median concentration determined for the apparently healthy cohort. The CA 19-9 values measured are defined by the use of the monoclonal antibody 1116-NS-19-9. The 1116-NS-19-9-reactive determinants on a glycolipid having a molecular weight of approximately 10,000 daltons are measured. This mucin corresponds to a hapten of Lewis-a blood group determinants and is a component of a number of mucous membrane cells.3,4 Mucin occurs in fetal gastric, intestinal, and pancreatic epithelia. Low concentrations can also be found in adult tissue in the liver, lungs, and pancreas.2,5 CA 19-9 assay values can assist in the differential diagnosis and monitoring of patients with pancreatic carcinoma (sensitivity 70% to 87%).6-12 There is no correlation between tumor mass and the CA 19-9 assay values; however, patients with CA 19-9 serum levels >10,000 units/mL almost always have distal metastasis.