Cancer Antigen 19-9
Private Cancer Antigen 19-9 blood test in London for £144, measuring one tumour marker with results expected in approximately 1 business day.
Turnaround time
1 business day
Biomarkers count
1
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Overview of the Cancer Antigen 19-9
The Cancer Antigen 19-9 blood test measures Cancer Antigen 19-9, commonly abbreviated to CA 19-9, a carbohydrate tumour-associated antigen.
CA 19-9 is most strongly associated clinically with pancreatic cancer and cholangiocarcinoma, although increased concentrations can also occur in some other gastrointestinal malignancies.
The test contains 1 biomarker: Cancer Antigen 19-9.
CA 19-9 is not recommended as a general screening test for pancreatic cancer in people without a known or suspected malignancy. Both false-positive and false-negative results can occur.
Its most established clinical role is in people with known cancer whose tumour produces CA 19-9. Serial measurements can help specialists assess treatment response and disease activity over time.
CA 19-9 can also rise significantly in benign conditions, particularly biliary obstruction, cholangitis, pancreatitis and some forms of liver disease.
Another important limitation is that people who are Lewis-antigen negative cannot produce CA 19-9 normally. A low or undetectable result in these individuals therefore cannot reliably exclude a CA 19-9-associated malignancy.
The result should always be interpreted alongside imaging, liver and biliary findings, symptoms, previous tumour-marker measurements and specialist clinical assessment.
What Does the Cancer Antigen 19-9 Test Check?
This test measures 1 biomarker.
Cancer Antigen 19-9
Measures CA 19-9, a carbohydrate tumour-associated antigen used particularly in the monitoring of pancreatic and selected gastrointestinal cancers. Results can also be elevated in benign pancreatic, biliary and liver conditions and should not be used alone to diagnose or exclude cancer.
Who May Benefit From the Cancer Antigen 19-9 Test?
This test may be suitable for people in whom CA 19-9 has been requested as part of specialist assessment or monitoring of a known pancreatic, biliary or gastrointestinal malignancy.
Known pancreatic cancer - CA 19-9 is commonly used to monitor disease activity and treatment response where the tumour produces the marker.
Monitoring pancreatic cancer treatment - Changes over time can provide supplementary information alongside imaging and clinical assessment.
Follow-up after pancreatic cancer treatment - Serial testing may form part of specialist monitoring for progression or recurrence.
Known cholangiocarcinoma - CA 19-9 may be used as an adjunctive tumour marker in selected bile duct cancers.
Selected gastrointestinal cancers - The marker can be elevated in some gastric, colorectal and other gastrointestinal malignancies.
Previously elevated CA 19-9 - A marker known to be elevated before treatment may be particularly useful for longitudinal monitoring.
Assessment alongside imaging - CA 19-9 can provide additional biochemical information where a pancreatic or biliary abnormality has already been identified.
Rising tumour marker during follow-up - Repeat measurement can help determine whether an apparent increase persists.
Specialist-requested tumour marker testing - The test can be arranged privately where an oncologist, gastroenterologist, hepatobiliary specialist or GP has specifically requested CA 19-9.
How to Prepare
Serial CA 19-9 testing is generally more useful when interpreted in relation to previous results and the timing of treatment or biliary procedures.
Do not interpret a single elevated result as evidence of cancer without appropriate specialist assessment.
Symptoms and Reasons to Consider the Cancer Antigen 19-9 Test
The Cancer Antigen 19-9 test is not intended to diagnose pancreatic or gastrointestinal cancer solely from symptoms. Symptoms suggestive of pancreatic or biliary disease require appropriate clinical assessment and imaging where indicated.
Persistent upper abdominal pain - Pancreatic, biliary and gastrointestinal conditions can cause abdominal discomfort, but the symptom is highly non-specific.
Persistent back pain associated with abdominal symptoms - Some pancreatic disorders can cause pain radiating towards the back.
Unexplained weight loss - Significant unintentional weight loss warrants clinical evaluation regardless of tumour-marker testing.
Jaundice - Yellowing of the skin or eyes may indicate biliary obstruction or liver disease and requires medical assessment.
Dark urine and pale stools - These changes may occur when bile flow is obstructed.
Persistent loss of appetite - Reduced appetite can occur in many gastrointestinal and systemic conditions.
Known pancreatic malignancy - New symptoms or clinical changes during follow-up may prompt repeat CA 19-9 testing alongside imaging.
Known biliary malignancy - CA 19-9 may form part of specialist monitoring in selected cases.
These symptoms have many possible benign as well as serious causes. CA 19-9 should not be used as a standalone investigation to determine whether cancer is present.
Biliary obstruction itself can cause substantial elevations in CA 19-9 even in the absence of cancer, making the clinical context particularly important.
Jaundice, severe or progressive abdominal pain, persistent vomiting or significant unexplained weight loss require appropriate medical evaluation rather than relying on a private tumour-marker result.
How to Book Your Cancer Antigen 19-9 Test
Booking your Cancer Antigen 19-9 test with London Blood Tests is simple and designed to fit around your schedule.
Choose the Cancer Antigen 19-9
Select the Cancer Antigen 19-9 test online and review the included tumour marker before booking.
Select your sample collection option
Choose an in-clinic blood draw (+£35) or a home or hotel phlebotomy visit (+£60) where a qualified phlebotomist collects your sample.
Attend your appointment
A trained professional will collect your blood sample safely and efficiently at the clinic or during your arranged home or hotel visit.
Laboratory analysis
Your sample is sent to the laboratory, where Cancer Antigen 19-9 is measured using specialist tumour-marker analysis.
Receive your results securely
Your results are sent securely by email, ready to review yourself or discuss with an oncologist, gastroenterologist, hepatobiliary specialist, GP or other suitably qualified healthcare professional.
When Will I Receive My Results?
The expected turnaround time for the Cancer Antigen 19-9 test is approximately 1 business day after your sample arrives at the laboratory.
Results are sent securely by email once laboratory analysis and authorisation are complete.
Additional laboratory checks or repeat analysis may occasionally extend the expected turnaround.
Understanding Your Results
Your Cancer Antigen 19-9 result shows the concentration of CA 19-9 in your blood according to the laboratory reference interval and assay used.
A result within the reference interval does not exclude pancreatic or gastrointestinal cancer.
Some tumours do not produce CA 19-9, and people who are Lewis-antigen negative may produce little or no CA 19-9 regardless of whether malignancy is present.
An elevated CA 19-9 result can occur in pancreatic cancer, cholangiocarcinoma and selected other gastrointestinal cancers.
However, increased concentrations can also occur in benign conditions including pancreatitis, gallstones, cholangitis, biliary obstruction, cirrhosis and other liver disorders.
This is particularly important in people who are jaundiced because obstruction of bile flow can substantially elevate CA 19-9.
For people with a confirmed CA 19-9-producing tumour, serial trends are usually more useful than a single measurement.
Falling levels may accompany treatment response, while persistently increasing concentrations can prompt additional imaging or specialist evaluation.
Results should always be interpreted alongside imaging, symptoms, liver-function tests, bilirubin and the wider clinical picture.
Why Book With London Blood Tests?
Private CA 19-9 testing in London - Access specialist Cancer Antigen 19-9 testing through London Blood Tests.
Targeted pancreatic tumour-marker measurement - Measure CA 19-9 independently when specifically requested.
Relevant to pancreatic cancer monitoring - CA 19-9 is commonly used to follow disease activity where the tumour produces the antigen.
Relevant to selected biliary and gastrointestinal cancers - The marker may provide additional information in cholangiocarcinoma and some other gastrointestinal malignancies.
Useful for serial monitoring - Trends can provide more meaningful information than an isolated result.
Specialist laboratory analysis - Your sample is processed using dedicated tumour-marker testing methods.
Clinic and home visit options - Choose an in-clinic blood draw or arrange home or hotel phlebotomy depending on location and availability.
Secure results by email - Receive your authorised laboratory result securely once analysis is complete.
Clear pricing before booking - The Cancer Antigen 19-9 test is priced at £144, with sample collection charges shown separately.
Private Cancer Antigen 19-9 Blood Test in London
London Blood Tests provides the Cancer Antigen 19-9 blood test in London for people requiring targeted CA 19-9 measurement.
The test costs £144 and measures one biomarker: Cancer Antigen 19-9.
CA 19-9 is most commonly used as a tumour marker in the monitoring of pancreatic cancer and selected biliary or gastrointestinal malignancies. It should not be regarded as a general cancer-screening test.
Clinic appointments are available alongside home and hotel phlebotomy depending on location and availability, providing flexible options for people looking for a private CA 19-9 blood test in London.
The result should be interpreted alongside imaging, biliary status, liver-function results, previous CA 19-9 measurements and specialist clinical assessment.