Alpha-fetoprotein

Alpha-fetoprotein is a protein normally produced by a fetus. Alpha-fetoprotein levels are usually undetectable in the blood of healthy adult men or women (who are not pregnant). An elevated level of alpha-fetoprotein suggests the presence of either a primary liver cancer or germ cell tumor. Also called AFP.
More about alpha-fetoprotein or AFP

CA 19-9

CA 19-9 is a tumor marker. Tumor markers are substances that are produced by cancer or by other cells of the body in response to cancer or certain benign (noncancerous) conditions. Most tumor markers are made by normal cells as well as by cancer cells; however, they are produced at much higher levels in cancerous conditions.


CA 19-9 is the most extensively studied and validated serum biomarker for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in symptomatic patients. CA 19-9 serum levels can provide important information with regards to prognosis, overall survival, and response to chemotherapy as well as predict post-operative recurrence. However, there's non-specific expression of CA 19-9 in several benign and malignant diseases


CA19-9 is usually measured by a blood test.


CA 19-9 serum levels may also be elevated in in several benign and malignant diseases, pancreatic and non-pancreatic


Other conditions associated with elevated serum CA 19-9 levels include:

• ovarian cyst
• heart failure
• Hashimoto's thyroiditis
• rheumatoid arthritis
• diverticulitis
• choledocholithiasis, gallbladder cancer and cholangiocarcinoma. 
• CA 19-9 serum levels alone cannot differentiate between benign, precursor lesions and malignant pancreatic conditions such as acute and chronic pancreatitis, intraductal pancreatic mucinous neoplasms (IPMN), pancreatic intra-epithelial neoplasia (PANIN) and pancreatic cancer.

Sources: National Cancer Institute /  U K Ballehaninna; R S Chamberlain Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology

CEA

CEA is a tumor marker, a substance that may be found in the blood of people who have colon cancer, other types of cancer or diseases, or who smoke tobacco. Carcinoembryonic antigen levels may help keep track of how well cancer treatments are working or if cancer has come back. It is a type of tumor marker.

CA 19-9

CA 19-9 is a tumor marker. Tumor markers are substances that are produced by cancer or by other cells of the body in response to cancer or certain benign (noncancerous) conditions. Most tumor markers are made by normal cells as well as by cancer cells; however, they are produced at much higher levels in cancerous conditions.


CA 19-9 is the most extensively studied and validated serum biomarker for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in symptomatic patients. CA 19-9 serum levels can provide important information with regards to prognosis, overall survival, and response to chemotherapy as well as predict post-operative recurrence. However, there's non-specific expression of CA 19-9 in several benign and malignant diseases


CA19-9 is usually measured by a blood test.


CA 19-9 serum levels may also be elevated in in several benign and malignant diseases, pancreatic and non-pancreatic


Other conditions associated with elevated serum CA 19-9 levels include:

• ovarian cyst
• heart failure
• hashimoto's thyroiditis
• rheumatoid arthriti
• diverticulitis
• choledocholithiasis, gallbladder cancer and cholangiocarcinoma. 
• CA 19-9 serum levels alone cannot differentiate between benign, precursor lesions and malignant pancreatic conditions such as acute and chronic pancreatitis, intraductal pancreatic mucinous neoplasms (IPMN), pancreatic intra-epithelial neoplasia (PANIN) and pancreatic cancer.

Sources: National Cancer Institute /  U K Ballehaninna; R S Chamberlain Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology