What should I do if my CA 19-9 levels are elevated and Im experiencing chest pain?
For the increase in CA199 and chest pain, conservative treatment should be conducted based on the specific cause, such as anti-inflammatory treatment. In severe cases, surgical treatment may be necessary, such as the presence of malignant tumors, where surgical treatment, chemotherapy, and other methods are essential. Therefore, it is important to determine whether the chest pain caused by CA199 elevation is benign or malignant, and to conduct follow-up tracking and a series of pathological examinations.
1. Comprehensive Examination
If CA199 has been elevated for several years, it is necessary to actively visit the hospital for a comprehensive examination to identify the underlying cause. CA199 is a commonly used tumor marker in clinical practice, which is not specific and can increase in multiple systemic diseases. There are two main reasons for the increase: malignant tumors and benign lesions.
2. Surgical Treatment
If the increase is caused by benign lesions, such as pancreatitis, pneumonia, ovarian cysts, etc., anti-inflammatory treatment or close follow-up observation can be performed. If it is caused by malignant tumors, active anti-tumor treatment should be initiated immediately, such as surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, etc.
3. Follow-up Observation
If CA199 is only slightly elevated, dynamic follow-up observation is sufficient, as pancreatitis or inflammation of the hepatobiliary system can also lead to a slight increase in CA199. If a space-occupying lesion is found in the pancreas, further B-ultrasound or CT-guided biopsy of the mass may be required. In summary, for elevated CA199, the first step is to consider the degree of elevation, followed by the results of imaging and pathological examinations, mainly to exclude the possibility of pancreatic cancer. Of course, CA199 elevation can also occur in tumors of other hepatobiliary areas.
