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....