Cancer antigen 19-9 or carbohydrate antigen 19-9 is synthesized by pancreatic and biliary ductular cells, as well as by salivary, colonic, gastric, endometrial epithelia. It is also found in seminal fluid. In tissues, CA 19-9 exists as an epitope present on a glycolipid, whereas in serum, it is associated with mucin. CA 19-9 is a marker for pancreatic, gastric and hepatobiliary malignancies and is found in elevated levels.
CA19-9 Cancer Antigen , aka CA19-9, is a cell surface glycoprotein complex most commonly associated with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
The immunohistologic distribution of CA19-9 in tissues is consistent with the quantitative determination of higher CA19-9 concentrations in cancer than in normal or inflamed tissues. CA19-9 Cancer Antigen is a tumour marker raised in blood of patients with carcinoma of the gastro-intestinal tract.
A declining Cancer Antigen CA19-9 value may be indicative of a favorable prognosis and good response to treatment.
