CA-19-9

Hello,
My partner has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, she has had a whipple surgery, prior to that she underwent 23 chemotherapy treatments of Gemzar.  After the chemo she then had the surgery, after the surgery she underwent 5 weeks of daily ridiation therapy along with chemotherapy 5-FU continious pump.  She finished up her radiation 2 weeks ago.  Prior to her radiation and the 5-FU her CA-19-9 was 35, she just had another CA-19-9 Monday and it had gone up to 153.  The doctor wants to do another CA-19-9 in 10 days because it said that it could possibly be a false read.  Something was mentioned about cancer threads and protein?  A CT scan was done and it showed everything clear.  Can a CA-19-9 be a false read?

[Fernando Roque, MD]

Hi. A single elevation of CA 19-9 can possibly be a false read.  The elevated reading could have resulted from laboratory errors.  Her remaining pancreas could also have become inflamed as a result of the radiation treatment, and the inflammation could also elevate CA19-9 levels.  However, if subsequent serial determinations of CA 19-9 are consistently elevated, this may signify residual or recurrent cancer even if a CT scan is clear.  A PET scan may be needed to investigate persistently elevated CA19-9 results.