What does "CA-199" mean?

CA199 is a non-specific tumor marker. If there is a significant increase, it suggests the possibility of malignant tumor. If it is a slight increase, it is considered benign. If there are obvious symptoms such as abdominal distension, abdominal pain, jaundice, etc., the possibility of pancreatic tumor should be excluded. CA199 has different degrees of increase, so attention should be paid to its identification. Further color Doppler ultrasound and tumor marker screening are also needed.

1. CA199, also known as "carbohydrate antigen", is a kind of mucin-type carbohydrate protein tumor marker, but it is not a tumor-specific antigen. Because research has found that it is widely present in normal glandular epithelial cells with secretory function, and CA199 expression is found in the epithelia of almost all organs and tissues of the human body.

2. If there is pancreatic cancer, liver, gallbladder, or gastrointestinal tract tumor, the level of CA199 will increase significantly, and the positive rate can reach 85% to 95%.

3. About 85% of gallbladder cancer and cholangiocarcinoma can have an increase in CA199. About 40% of patients with gastric cancer and colon cancer can have an increase in CA199. 30%-50% of patients with rectal cancer can also have an increase. However, its value for early diagnosis is not very significant, with a positive rate or sensitivity of about 30%.

4. If CA199 increases, one should consider the possibility of pancreatic cancer or gastrointestinal tract tumor, especially for pancreatic cancer, which has high specificity and sensitivity. Continuous monitoring is of great value for disease progression, surgical treatment, prognosis evaluation, and recurrence judgment.

5. In addition to malignant tumors, benign diseases such as acute pancreatitis, cholestatic cholangitis, cholelithiasis, acute hepatitis, cirrhosis, etc., can also cause CA199 to increase.