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CA 19-9 is not sensitive or specific enough to use as a screening test for cancer, and it is not diagnostic of a specific type of cancer. Its main use is as a tumer marker
used to
differentiate between cancer of the pancreas and other conditions, such as pancreatitis
To monitor a person's response to pancreatic cancer treatment and/or cancer progression
To watch for pancreatic cancer recurrence
Since CA 19-9 is elevated in about 65% of those with bile duct (hepatobiliary) cancer, it may be ordered to help evaluate and monitor people with this type of cancer.
CA 19-9 may sometimes be ordered when a doctor suspects hepatobiliary cancer and/or bile duct obstruction.
Non-cancerous causes of bile duct obstruction can cause very high CA 19-9 levels, which fall when the blockage is cleared. In these cases, it is a good idea to wait at least a week or two after the blockage is removed to re-check CA 19-9 levels.
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