What do the results mean?If you are being treated for pancreatic cancer or other type of cancer, you may be tested several times throughout your treatment. After repeated tests, your results may show:Your levels of CA 19-9 are increasing. This may mean your tumor is growing, and/or your treatment is not working.Your levels of CA 19-9 are decreasing. This may mean your tumor is shrinking and your treatment is working.Your levels of CA 19-9 have not increased or decreased. This may mean your disease is stable.Your CA 19-9 levels decreased, but then later increased. This may mean your cancer has come back after you've been treated.If you do not have cancer and your results show a higher than normal level of CA 19-9, it may be a sign of one of the following noncancerous disorders:Pancreatitis, a noncancerous swelling of the pancreasGallstonesBile duct blockageLiver diseaseCystic fibrosisIf your health care provider suspects you have one of these disorders, he or she will probably order more tests to confirm or rule out a diagnosis.Talk to your health care provider if you have questions about your results.Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results.
