Letter to the Editor

Transient Marked Elevation of Serum CA 19-9 Levels in a Patient with Acute Cholangitis and Biliary Stent

Authors: JayaKrishna Chintanaboina, MD, MPH, Ambuga R. Badari, MD, Deepa Gopavaram, MBBS, Khalid J. Qazi, MD, MACP

Abstract

To the Editor:


Carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 is the most commonly used tumor marker for identifying certain malignant conditions, including pancreatic cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, and other gastrointestinal malignancies. It is the most useful test in distinguishing between malignant and benign conditions of the pancreas.1 These tumor marker levels can also be elevated in certain benign conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, including cirrhosis of the liver, and acute cholangitis. It should not be relied upon solely for the diagnosis of malignant disorders.2 The following case describes a patient with a benign disease with elevated serum CA 19-9 levels.

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References

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