Cancer Related
CA 19.9 Blood Test
£80.00
Evaluate pancreatic and biliary health with a private Cancer Antigen 19.9 (CA 19.9) blood test at Medical Diagnosis Victoria (MDX Victoria) in London.
This test measures the concentration of CA 19.9 circulating in your bloodstream, a vital tumour marker primarily associated with the pancreas and bile ducts. Evaluating this biomarker is highly effective for supporting the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, monitoring cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer), and tracking treatment response or disease progression in patients undergoing therapy for gastrointestinal malignancies.
With a 5-day turnaround, this specialised screening provides the reliable clinical data your doctor needs to evaluate complex digestive tract conditions and guide targeted oncological care.
Oncology & Hepatobiliary Surveillance
Private CA 19.9 Blood Test in London
Cancer Antigen 19.9 (CA 19.9) is a specialized tumour biomarker primarily used in the clinical evaluation of pancreatic and biliary tract conditions. At Medical Diagnosis Victoria (MDX Victoria), we provide a private CA 19.9 blood test to support the investigation of pancreatic lesions, monitor cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer), and track oncology treatment outcomes. Our clinical practitioners in central London deliver attentive, confidential care with comprehensive laboratory results delivered within 5 days.
📊 Test Specifications
Clinic Testing Fee
£80.00
+ £24.00 Phlebotomy Fee
Sample RequiredBlood Sample
Turnaround Time5 Days Processing
PreparationNo special instructions
StatusReferral Laboratory Analysis
Diagnostic Focus
What is the Cancer Antigen 19.9 (CA 19.9) Test?
Cancer Antigen 19.9 is a carbohydrate-antigen glycoprotein shed primarily by cells of the pancreatic duct, gallbladder, and biliary epithelium. In healthy adults, minimal quantities circulate in the bloodstream. However, when cells in the pancreas or biliary system proliferate abnormally or become malignant, substantial quantities of CA 19.9 are released into the blood. Measuring quantitative CA 19.9 concentrations provides invaluable clinical information for diagnosing malignancies, assessing surgical resectability, and monitoring therapeutic efficacy.
Pancreatic Assessment
Evaluating this biomarker helps to:
- Support suspected pancreatic cancer diagnosis
- Evaluate suspicious pancreatic mass lesions
- Assess potential surgical resectability
- Complement abdominal CT and MRI scans
Biliary Tract Disease
This test is highly useful because it:
- Monitors cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer)
- Evaluates gallbladder tumours
- Assesses complex biliary strictures
- Distinguishes benign from malignant obstruction
Therapy & Recurrence
The laboratory provides critical data to:
- Track response to chemotherapy
- Monitor postsurgical tumour clearance
- Identify disease recurrence early
- Support oncological management plans
Clinical Uses
Why is Blood Testing for CA 19.9 Important?
Pancreatic and hepatobiliary diseases frequently develop quietly, with early clinical signs resembling common indigestion or functional bowel complaints. Serial testing of CA 19.9 enables oncologists and gastroenterologists to evaluate the biological behaviour of hepatobiliary conditions and guide prompt intervention.
Evaluating Physical Symptoms
Clinicians frequently request a CA 19.9 test when investigating unexplained or persistent abdominal symptoms, including:
- Painless jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes), dark urine, or pale stools.
- Deep, radiating epigastric pain that frequently extends into the middle or lower back.
- Unexplained rapid weight loss, profound loss of appetite, or persistent nausea and vomiting.
- New-onset adult diabetes occurring alongside sudden gastrointestinal discomfort and fatigue.
Ongoing Treatment Surveillance & Follow-Up
The CA 19.9 blood test is widely utilised across oncology practice for:
- Monitoring Treatment: Decreasing blood levels during chemotherapy or radiation therapy indicate that tumour cells are responding positively to treatment.
- Post-Surgical Follow-Up: A return toward baseline after pancreatic or biliary resection confirms surgical clearance, while a persistent rise can indicate early recurrence before visible on imaging.
Understanding Pancreatic & Hepatobiliary Conditions
A quantitative CA 19.9 assay provides essential evidence for hepatologists, gastroenterologists, and oncologists. For further clinical guidance on identifying symptoms of pancreatic conditions in the UK, consult the official NHS guide on pancreatic cancer.
Clinic Excellence
Why Choose Medical Diagnosis Victoria (MDX Victoria)?
Specialist Referral Laboratory Analysis
Your blood sample is managed with strict pre-analytical controls and analysed at an accredited referral laboratory using validated automated immunoassay methods for precise biomarker tracking.
Reliable 5 Day Turnaround
Our logistics protocols ensure prompt sample transfer and analysis so your comprehensive pathology report is securely delivered within 5 days.
Central London Care
Conveniently situated in Victoria, our clinic provides a welcoming, discreet, and patient-focused environment for all your private diagnostic needs.
Clear Pricing
£80.00 test fee plus a £24.00 blood draw fee with no hidden costs. Our experienced practitioners ensure your visit is completely straightforward.
Pathology Reports
How To Read Your Laboratory Results
Your report will display your serum CA 19.9 concentration in units per millilitre (U/mL). In healthy individuals, levels are typically below 37 U/mL. Moderately elevated levels can occur with benign conditions, such as gallstones, cholangitis, acute or chronic pancreatitis, cirrhosis, or chronic hepatitis. Markedly elevated or progressively climbing results are highly suggestive of pancreatic adenocarcinoma or cholangiocarcinoma. Your doctor will interpret this level in combination with abdominal ultrasound, CT, or MRI imaging and clinical findings.
Results Timeline: Your specialist diagnostic report is typically available within 5 days of your blood draw.
Medical Consultation
Need Help? Private GP Consultations
Tumour markers and hepatobiliary symptoms require experienced medical evaluation. If your CA 19.9 result is elevated, or if you are troubled by persistent back pain, jaundice, or digestive problems, our private GP service is available on site. Our clinicians can interpret your results, arrange complementary liver profiles or abdominal ultrasound scans, and facilitate urgent referrals to consultant gastroenterologists or oncologists.
Clinic Support
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to fast before a CA 19.9 blood test?
No special fasting is strictly required before a CA 19.9 blood test. You may eat and drink normally prior to your sample collection, though you should follow any specific guidance given by your referring specialist if other gastrointestinal tests are ordered alongside it.
Can the CA 19.9 test be used for general pancreatic cancer screening?
No. The CA 19.9 test is not used as a general screening tool for asymptomatic individuals. This is because non-cancerous conditions (such as gallstones, bile duct obstruction, and pancreatitis) can also raise levels, and some individuals do not genetically express the CA 19.9 antigen. It is most clinically valuable when used to evaluate symptomatic patients, assess suspected tumours, and monitor known treatment response.
How quickly will I receive my CA 19.9 test results?
Because this specialised tumour marker assay is performed by our accredited referral laboratory with stringent quality and calibration controls, your comprehensive diagnostic report will be securely delivered within 5 days.
Is the phlebotomy fee included in the £80.00 price?
No, the £24.00 phlebotomy service fee is separate and covers the expert clinical blood draw performed by our qualified practitioners at our central Victoria clinic.
Why do non-cancerous liver or biliary conditions cause high CA 19.9?
CA 19.9 is normally produced in small amounts by bile duct cells and cleared via the biliary tract. When a bile duct is blocked or inflamed—such as by gallstones, benign strictures, cholangitis, or severe liver inflammation—the antigen cannot drain properly and spills into the circulation, causing elevated blood levels.
Online Trends
Most Searched Online Questions About CA 19.9
What is the connection between the Lewis blood group and CA 19.9?
The CA 19.9 epitope requires the presence of the Lewis blood group enzyme (fucosyltransferase) to be synthesised. Approximately 5% to 10% of the population are Lewis-negative (Le a- b-). Individuals with this genetic profile cannot produce CA 19.9, meaning their blood levels will remain undetectable or very low even if an advanced pancreatic or biliary tumour is present.
Can gallstones cause a false-positive high CA 19.9 level?
Yes. Choledocholithiasis (a gallstone blocking the common bile duct) leads to mechanical obstruction and inflammation of the biliary tree. This causes a dramatic release of CA 19.9 into the bloodstream, which can mimic malignant ranges but typically normalises completely once the gallstone is removed.
Is CA 19.9 used alongside other digestive tumour markers?
Yes. Clinicians frequently measure CA 19.9 in conjunction with CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen) and standard Liver Function Tests (LFTs) to gain a comprehensive biochemical overview of gastrointestinal, liver, and biliary health.
Related Health Categories
Book Your Private Blood Test in London Today
Take Control of Your Digestive & Oncology Health
Stop guessing about persistent upper abdominal pain, unexplained jaundice, or complex hepatobiliary conditions. Secure your Cancer Antigen 19.9 (CA 19.9) blood test at Medical Diagnosis Victoria (MDX Victoria) today. Visit our welcoming, discreet London clinic and let our expert clinical team support your health journey with clear, accurate diagnostic answers.
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