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Hi, What Does It Mean If Your CA19-9 Value Is
Question: Hi,
What does it mean if your CA19-9 value is 36 and a tumor was found in your pancreas during a check up? This patient is also diabetic (type 2), smokes and drinks moderately. He is 57. He’s overweight. Does this mean he might have pancreatic cancer? and what further testing should be done? Thanks
What does it mean if your CA19-9 value is 36 and a tumor was found in your pancreas during a check up? This patient is also diabetic (type 2), smokes and drinks moderately. He is 57. He’s overweight. Does this mean he might have pancreatic cancer? and what further testing should be done? Thanks
Brief Answer:
About pancreatic tumours...
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for asking!
I have gone through your concerns carefully.
CA19-9 is a tumour marker suggesting for pancreatic malignancy when it is over 37 but it is more sensitive in advance stages.
In a malignant tumour under 3 cm, it has a sensitivity 70-80%.
So to give an interpretation of the results, a more detailed description of the MRI report is needed.
If the suspicion for malignancy is high in MRI, then a biopsy with ERCP can be performed.
It'll be a pleasure to assist you further.
Kind regards,
Dr.Mirjeta
About pancreatic tumours...
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for asking!
I have gone through your concerns carefully.
CA19-9 is a tumour marker suggesting for pancreatic malignancy when it is over 37 but it is more sensitive in advance stages.
In a malignant tumour under 3 cm, it has a sensitivity 70-80%.
So to give an interpretation of the results, a more detailed description of the MRI report is needed.
If the suspicion for malignancy is high in MRI, then a biopsy with ERCP can be performed.
It'll be a pleasure to assist you further.
Kind regards,
Dr.Mirjeta
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Hi dr Mirjeta,
Thanks for your response. There was a misunderstanding btw my dad and me. So Let me ask the question in a different way. My dad who is a smoker and drinker was diagnosed with Diabetes type 2. He is also overweight, especially around his belly. He also has hepatitis b and has a very sedentary lifestyle. In his checkup his Ca19-9 value came up 36. On the paper work it says it is high and it is supposed to be lower than 27. However when I googled it I saw that the top is 37. In his specific situation should we do any further testing and what should they be?
Thanks a lot,
Gulsah
Thanks for your response. There was a misunderstanding btw my dad and me. So Let me ask the question in a different way. My dad who is a smoker and drinker was diagnosed with Diabetes type 2. He is also overweight, especially around his belly. He also has hepatitis b and has a very sedentary lifestyle. In his checkup his Ca19-9 value came up 36. On the paper work it says it is high and it is supposed to be lower than 27. However when I googled it I saw that the top is 37. In his specific situation should we do any further testing and what should they be?
Thanks a lot,
Gulsah
Brief Answer:
About high CA 19-9
Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
Sorry for the delay in my response...
If CA 19-9 results high (over the normal range of the lab), at his age and with a background of alcohol use, an MRI of the pancreas should be performed.
It will confirm/rule out pancreatic tumours.
A pancreatic tumour may be the cause of Diabetes or deteriorate it in a patient with Diabetes diagnosed for many years.
I would highly recommend an abdominal MRI.
It'll be a pleasure to help you further.
Best wishes,
Dr.Mirjeta
About high CA 19-9
Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
Sorry for the delay in my response...
If CA 19-9 results high (over the normal range of the lab), at his age and with a background of alcohol use, an MRI of the pancreas should be performed.
It will confirm/rule out pancreatic tumours.
A pancreatic tumour may be the cause of Diabetes or deteriorate it in a patient with Diabetes diagnosed for many years.
I would highly recommend an abdominal MRI.
It'll be a pleasure to help you further.
Best wishes,
Dr.Mirjeta
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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