What is the "CA 19-9 test"?

Answer by  GilFinn (2065)

It is a blood test to check for the cancer antigen associated with pancreatic cancer. This test is used to differenciate between pancreatic and colon cancers.

Answer by  lance44 (55)

CA19-9 (carbohydrate antigen 19-9 or sialylated Lewis is a blood test from the tumor marker category. It was discovered in patients with colon cancer and pancreatic cancer in 1981. Increased levels of CA19-9 are also found in non-malignant conditions, such as Mirizzi's syndrome and diseases of the bile ducts and liver.