The tumour marker test....

Last week, I've posted this question to ASCLS :

Question :
My result for these tumour markers are (fasting):

CA 125 : 436
CA 19.9 : 185

I was diagnosed with endometriosis therefore the raised CA125. However when I was first diagnosed in 2005 it was only 133.3. In early this year, I was further diagnosed with ovarian cyst and also adenomyosis. Does this contribute to the raised CA 125 to 436?

CA 19.9 is new to me and I was surprised with the result.

Hope you can explain more.

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Then today I got the answer :

Dear Ms. ****,

Thank you for using the ASCLS Consumer Information website. I am so sorry for the delay in answering your question. Both your high levels of CA 19-9 and CEA may be due to increased severity of your endometriosis. The ovarian cyst and adenomyosis also may well contribute to the increased CA-125. As to CA 19-9, this marker has been used to look at severity of endometriosis and your endometriosis may be the cause of the increased CA -19-9. CA 19-9 is most often used to help differentiate between cancer of the pancreas and bile ducts and other conditions, to monitor response to pancreatic cancer treatment, and/or to watch for recurrence of pancreatic cancer. CA 19-9 can also be useful in monitoring pancreatic, hepatobiliary, gastric, hepatocellular, and colorectal cancers. However, CA 19-9 can be elevated in any contition that affects the pancreas or gastrointestinal tract, particularly pancreatitis, gall bladder infection (cholecystitis) and liver infections/diseases (hepatiti!

s, cirrhosis, etc.)---all of these conditions also may cause increases in CEA. The CA 19-9 assay value, regardless of level, should not be interpreted as absolute evidence of the presence or absence of any cancer. I hope this information is helpful to you. Take good care of yourself and I hope that your endometriosis is not too painful.

Again, thank you for using the ASCLS Consumer Information Web Page.

As a member of this profession, I am pleased to represent thousands of clinical laboratory scientists who perform millions of laboratory tests yearly. The clinical laboratory is composed of several subspecialty areas: Chemistry, Hematology, Immunology, Microbiology, & Transfusion Services and provides over 70% of the objective data that physicians need for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Sincerely,

Michelle S. Kanuth, Ph.D., CLS(NCA)

ASCLS Consumer Response Team
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Well.. itulah dia, I am one of the endometriosis sufferer and hence living in pain..For almost 3 years dah macam-macam ubat try, accupuncture, homeopathy, viabration theraphy, chinese herbs etc... and yet it getting worse!!!!

Allah maha mengetahui....

Detik Permulaan...The Beginning

So many times that I have tried to blog....Always sekerat jalan!! Hope kali ni menjadilah.

My focus will be kata hati and my experience of living in pain...and I will try to add anything that is worth to be remembered and can become as lesson of life for those who care to read and in the same boat...

Why living in pain? Wait for my next entry...