CA-19-9 level

Runforlife
Runforlife Member Posts: 10
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
My father had his follow up with onc dr. As I have said before he has IV colon cancer with mets to liver and lungs, no possibility of resections. The chemo has worked very well with few side effects, his bilirubin has gone from 8.8 to 1.1, his CA 19-9 marker has dropped from 2500 to 800. How bad is this CA-19-9 AT 8OO level. We are all pleased that things are going so well, but I need to be prepared for what might happen next. Thank you for any information you may have, God bless all who suffer with this horrible thing Steve

Comments

  • msccolon
    msccolon Member Posts: 1,917 Member
    #2
    what is the CA19-9 marker?
    I don't think I've had that checked. Can your doctor help you out on what is "normal" and how "abnornal" are these readings?
    mary
  • geotina
    geotina Member Posts: 2,111 Member
    #3
    CA 19-1 marker
    I have not heard of this. George has blood work for his CEA, could this be the same thing?

    Tina
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    #4
    geotina said:

    CA 19-1 marker
    I have not heard of this. George has blood work for his CEA, could this be the same thing?

    Tina

    CA 19-9.....
    Serum carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 is considered to be the most sensitive/specific marker for pancreatic cancer, although it has also been associated with biliary, hepatocellular, gastric, colonic and nongastrointestinal malignancies. For pancreatic adenocarcinoma, CA 19-9 is reported to have a sensitivity of 70 to 90%, specificity of about 90%, a positive predictive value of 69%, and a negative predictive value of 90%.

    CA19-9 is not recommended for use as a screening test for pancreatic cancer.
    The use of CA19-9 testing alone is not recommended for use in determining operability or the results of operability in pancreatic cancer.
    CA19-9 determinations by themselves cannot provide definitive evidence of disease recurrence without seeking confirmation with imaging studies for clinical findings and/or biopsy.
    Present data are insufficient to recommend the routine use of serum CA19-9 levels alone for monitoring response to treatment.
    However, CA19-9 can be measured at the start of treatment for locally advanced metastatic disease and every one to three months during active treatment. If there is an elevation in serial CA19-9 determinations, this may be an indication of progressive disease and confirmation with other studies should be sought.
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    #5
    CA 19-9
    Hey Steve

    This test is an interesting one - I've had them done all the time, because at one time, my onc thought I had pancreatic cancer with my bloodwork, CT and PET all giving strong indications. It turned out to be my liver though.

    I can't say this test proved anything for me anytime I did it, but we kept doing it and I tracked the numbers.

    In the past, they used to be off the charts and for a long time was in the high 600's. I think the last time I got one it was around 158, which was a good number. Normal ranges are between 0-37.

    But the numbers may not be a good indicator of cancer activity. They use it for the pancreas and in conjunction with the liver tests.

    That's a significant drop in numbers, so that's great. If you do the tests, just keep an eyeball on them, but try not to read too much into them. After 5 years, if I had that type of cancer, I would have checked out or certainly been sicker.

    Take care - Craig
  • Runforlife
    Runforlife Member Posts: 10
    #6
    Sundanceh said:

    CA 19-9
    Hey Steve

    This test is an interesting one - I've had them done all the time, because at one time, my onc thought I had pancreatic cancer with my bloodwork, CT and PET all giving strong indications. It turned out to be my liver though.

    I can't say this test proved anything for me anytime I did it, but we kept doing it and I tracked the numbers.

    In the past, they used to be off the charts and for a long time was in the high 600's. I think the last time I got one it was around 158, which was a good number. Normal ranges are between 0-37.

    But the numbers may not be a good indicator of cancer activity. They use it for the pancreas and in conjunction with the liver tests.

    That's a significant drop in numbers, so that's great. If you do the tests, just keep an eyeball on them, but try not to read too much into them. After 5 years, if I had that type of cancer, I would have checked out or certainly been sicker.

    Take care - Craig

    Thanks Craig, Trying to keep
    Thanks Craig, Trying to keep up with the dr,s and their jargon is almost a job in it's self. I do feel much better about things and my father is feeling better than he has is almost 6 months. We,ve been through so much we almost anticipate the next heart break. God bless you on your journey to health
    Steve

Discussion Boards