Does this check produce other names?
Most cancers antigen 19-9, CA 19-9 radioimmunoassay (RIA) check
What is that this check?
This check appears for the antigen referred to as most cancers antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) in your blood.
Antigens are substances that stimulate your physique’s immune system. Some varieties of most cancers cells ship CA 19-9 into the blood, the place it may be measured with this check.
A excessive quantity of CA 19-9 is most frequently attributable to pancreatic most cancers. However it may also be attributable to different varieties of most cancers. And it may be attributable to infections in your liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.
Antigens like CA 19-9 that give details about most cancers are referred to as tumor markers. This check is just not used as a screening check for most cancers.
Why do I want this check?
It’s possible you’ll want this check in case your healthcare supplier thinks you is likely to be in danger for most cancers. This can be due to your signs or as a result of you will have a household historical past of most cancers. It’s possible you’ll want this check as a part of your prognosis together with different assessments.
You might also want this check if you’re having most cancers remedy. It might be performed each week or so to see how effectively remedy is working.
You might also want this check in case you have already been handled for most cancers and your healthcare supplier desires to see in case your most cancers has come again.
This check works finest to assist diagnose or make selections about remedy for pancreatic most cancers. However it could even be used for different cancers.
What different assessments would possibly I’ve together with this check?
Your healthcare supplier may additionally order assessments to examine for different tumor markers. You could have imaging scans or different blood assessments to study your most cancers. These different assessments can inform if you might have a situation aside from most cancers that causes a optimistic CA 19-9 blood check.
What do my check outcomes imply?
Take a look at outcomes might fluctuate relying in your age, gender, well being historical past, and different issues. Your check outcomes could also be completely different relying on the lab used. They could not imply you will have an issue. Ask your healthcare supplier what your check outcomes imply for you.
Outcomes are given in models per milliliter (U/mL). Regular outcomes are lower than 37 U/mL.
It is essential to know that larger ranges of CA 19-9 might not imply you will have most cancers. Circumstances aside from most cancers could cause larger ranges. These situations embrace an an infection of your pancreas, liver illness, gallstones, and cystic fibrosis.
Here’s what your outcomes might imply:
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In case your CA 19-9 is lower than 37 U/mL, you could not have most cancers.
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In case your CA 19-9 is above 37 U/mL, you might have most cancers of the pancreas, gallbladder, lung, or colon.
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You probably have been recognized with pancreatic most cancers and your healthcare supplier is utilizing this check as a part of your remedy, here’s what your outcomes might imply:
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In case your CA 19-9 goes up throughout remedy, it could imply that the remedy is just not working but.
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In case your CA 19-9 goes down throughout remedy, it could imply that the remedy helps you.
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In case your CA 19-9 went down after remedy however later goes again up, it could imply that your most cancers has come again.
How is that this check performed?
The check is finished with a blood pattern. A needle is used to attract blood from a vein in your arm or hand.
Does this check pose any dangers?
Having a blood check with a needle has some dangers. These embrace bleeding, an infection, bruising, and feeling lightheaded. When the needle pricks your arm or hand, you could really feel a slight sting or ache. Afterward, the positioning could also be sore.
What would possibly have an effect on my check outcomes?
Having radiation remedy for most cancers when you will have this check might give a false-positive end result even when your remedy is working.
How do I prepare for this check?
You need not put together for this check. Make sure your healthcare supplier is aware of about all medicines, herbs, nutritional vitamins, and dietary supplements you take. This contains medicines that do not want a prescription and any unlawful medicine you could use.