Ca 19.9

The CA 19-9 Test measures the level of Cancer Antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9), a tumor marker primarily used to monitor gastrointestinal cancers, particularly pancreatic cancer. CA 19-9 is a protein found on the surface of certain cancer cells and in small amounts in normal cells. Elevated levels can indicate the presence of cancer or other non-cancerous conditions like pancreatitis, liver disease, or gallstones. However, it is not used as a primary screening tool for cancer but rather as a diagnostic aid, particularly for monitoring treatment response and detecting recurrence in pancreatic cancer.Fasting:Not Required: Fasting is generally not required before a CA 19-9 test. The test measures the tumor marker level in the blood and is not significantly affected by food intake.