Laboratory Medicine
Test Directory / CA19-9
CA19-9
Brown clotted serum, gel barrier
| Test | CA19-9 |
|---|---|
| Common Abbreviations | NA |
| Profile | NA |
| Tube type | Brown clotted serum, gel barrier |
| Clinical Indication | CA 19-9 is most useful in the diagnosis and management of patients with pancreatic neoplasia. Although elevated levels of CA 19-9 are not distinctively characteristic of pancreatic cancer, it is currently the single most useful blood test in differentiating benign from malignant pancreatic disorders. The possible success of pancreatic resection and prognosis following surgery may be evaluated using the serum levels of CA 19-9. When used serially, levels of CA 19-9 can predict recurrence of the disease prior to radiographic or clinical findings. CA 19-9 is also elevated in gastric carcinomas and colorectal carcinomas. It is also raised in benign conditions such as pancreatitis, hepatocellular jaundice, cirrhosis and cystic fibrosis. |
| Specimen Type | Blood |
| Sample type | Serum |
| Minimum Volume | 0.5mL If requesting more than 10 tests please send an additional brown clotted serum sample. |
| Special Precautions | No special requirements |
| Stability | 5 days at 20 - 25°C, 14 days at 2 - 8°C and 3 months at -20°C |
| Turnaround Time | Inpatient: 24 hours Outpatient/ GP: 24 hours |
| Laboratory | York and Scarborough |
| Reference Interval | 0 - 34 KU/L |
| Limitations | Analysis should not be performed on grossly haemolysed, icteric or lipaemic samples. The assay is unaffected by biotin < 123 nmol/L or < 30 ng/mL. No interference was observed from rheumatoid factors up to a concentration of 1200 IU/mL. In vitro tests were performed on 16 commonly used pharmaceuticals. No interference with the assay was found. In addition, special cancer drugs were tested. No interference with the assay was found. In rare cases, interference due to extremely high titers of antibodies to analyte specific antibodies, streptavidin or ruthenium can occur. Samples should not be taken from patients receiving therapy with high biotin doses (i.e. > 5 mg/day) until at least 8 hours following the last biotin administration. |
| Notes |
