CA19-9 test - what's this for? pancreas or other?

starseed · Regular Joined: 06 Sep 2006 Posts: 17

The tumor marker test alone is not a good way to diagnose PC. Anything can throw that off. If you have several different tests also alerting something, that is different.

My mom has only felt mild pain through her treatments and now with recurrence, she still feels little pain. The Doctor said that changes when the tumors show up. If you're feeling pain, but nothing is on the CT, I wouldn't worry too much.

Having to wait for a YES or NO to cancer really really sucks and I only know from the perspective of an observing family member.

Midnight_Butterfly

Hi Starseed,

Thanks for your perspective. As an 'observing family member', all I can say is you're not just observing, it tends to affect those around the person that is waiting or has received their results. Relief or fear - either way it's not just an individual, it's a family thing. I hope your Mom's treatment is successful.

CharlotteQ · New User Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 2

I came across your post and found that we have very similar symptoms. I have some pain at the bottom of my right rib cage. I happened to have tested the CA19-9 twice in 3 months and they are in the 40 - 50 + range. I got a little worried. Ultrasound and blood test showed nothing was wrong. Doctor ordered me to take some omeparazole and it did get better. I was wondering if it was just heartburn. My dad recently died of liver cancer metastatis so I couldn't help get very worried....

Just wondering if you have more updates of your symptoms?

Take care

CharlotteQ

Midnight_Butterfly

Hi Charlotte,

Sorry to hear about your dad and that you're having similar mysterious symptoms as me.

I had a gastroscopy procedure last Monday. The procedure is where they stick an endoscope (camera on a tube) down your throat to have a look at your stomach, esophagus etc.

They said my stomach and esophagus and duodenum (start of the small bowel) looked normal and I rang for the results of two biopsies they took during that procedure and one result either hasn't come in yet (which would be a test for H.pylori bacteria - can cause ulcers) and the other has, which was checking the duodenum for damage I guess (coeliac I suspect). The test on my duodenum was normal but unsure about the other yet.

I've been mainly okay the last two weeks, but my stomach twinges from time to time and I notice sometimes it seems to take an exceedingly long time to digest foods.

I'd been given some pantoprozole which is similar to omeparazole (losec as I know it) and I don't think it's making a difference. Losec or omeparazole as you've mentioned, is apparently designed to stop not only acid reflux but a nurse told me it actually limits the amount of hydrochloric acid that is made in your stomach. I'm glad you're feeling better.

Mine is a mystery but at least it's not cancer. I have a follow up in about 2 weeks with the gastroenterologist. I think it's going to be one of those things that nobody knows what it is. I'm wondering if it's a food allergy but I don't know for sure what I'm allergic to - it's not gluten or dairy or soy etc as I appear to tolerate all of those fine. I suspect after my ovarian cancer operation they may have damaged my bowel or upset it to some degree that it's not functioning how it used to. (If that is it, I'm not angry about it as they did save my life!)

CharlotteQ · New User Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 2

I am glad to hear that you are all well. As for me, I have finished the 14-day course of omeperazole and those mysterious stomach pains have subsided significantly although they were some dumb pains occasionally which I think are related to food intake. So, i hope the doctor is right.

I had some stool tests as well for colon cancer, etc. and theyall came out ok. The only surprising thing was Dr. said I was infected with Hepatitis B at one time and my body had developed antibodies for it. I didn't even know this, it might have happen in my childhood. My dad had Hep B before which later led to liver cancer...

Well, I wish you well and healthy. Take care.

CharlotteQ

Midnight_Butterfly

Hi Charlotte,

Glad you've tested negative for colon cancer AND the losec has helped your stomach. That's really good news.

Bizarre news to find out about having Hep B at some stage, but at least you have the antibodies. That's good news in a weird way.

I hope you don't have any more issues with your tummy. Best of luck.

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