Collection & Request Instructions: | Ca 19-9 should only be used for follow up of patients with histologically proven tumour and not for screening for cancer. Ca 19-9 is elevated in most pancreatic adenocarcinomas, around 50% of gastric carcinomas and 30% of colorectal carcinomas. The main function of Ca 19-9 measurement is surveillance and monitoring of therapy in patients with known pancreatic adenocarcinoma. ASCO guidelines suggest that an elevation of Ca 19-9 levels alone is insufficient for diagnosis of recurrence, and confirmation with imaging studies +/- biopsy is required.It may also be elevated in a number of benign conditions including pancreatitis and cirrhosis.
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