Cancer Related
CA 50 Blood Test
£80.00
Evaluate gastrointestinal and pancreatic health with a private Cancer Antigen 50 (CA 50) blood test at Medical Diagnosis Victoria (MDX Victoria) in London.
This test measures the level of cancer antigen 50 circulating in your bloodstream, a vital tumour-associated marker linked to the digestive system. Evaluating this biomarker is highly effective for supporting the assessment of gastrointestinal malignancies, investigating pancreatic cancer in specialist contexts, and monitoring patients during ongoing oncology follow-up care.
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 & Gastrointestinal Surveillance
Private CA 50 Blood Test in London
Cancer Antigen 50 (CA 50) is a highly specific tumour biomarker used primarily in the clinical evaluation of gastrointestinal and pancreatic malignancies. At Medical Diagnosis Victoria (MDX Victoria), we provide a private CA 50 blood test to support the investigation of complex digestive conditions, evaluate pancreatic health in specialist contexts, and track oncology follow-up. Our clinical practitioners in central London deliver attentive, confidential care with comprehensive laboratory results available 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 50 (CA 50) Test?
Cancer Antigen 50 is a glycolipid marker closely related to CA 19.9. It is shed by cells lining the pancreas, stomach, and colorectal tract. While CA 19.9 is heavily reliant on a specific blood group enzyme to be produced (meaning 5-10% of people naturally cannot produce it), CA 50 does not have this genetic restriction. This makes the CA 50 test a vital alternative and complementary diagnostic tool for detecting and monitoring gastrointestinal and pancreatic malignancies in a wider patient demographic.
Pancreatic Evaluation
Evaluating this biomarker helps to:
- Support pancreatic cancer diagnostics
- Assess patients who are Lewis blood-type negative
- Investigate unexplained pancreatic masses
- Complement advanced abdominal imaging
Gastrointestinal Tumours
This test is highly useful because it:
- Monitors colorectal cancer progression
- Assesses suspected gastric malignancies
- Evaluates advanced biliary tract disease
- Provides a secondary GI tumour marker
Oncology Follow-Up
The laboratory provides critical data to:
- Track objective response to chemotherapy
- Monitor for post-surgical disease recurrence
- Evaluate overall disease stability
- Guide ongoing multidisciplinary care plans
Clinical Uses
Why is Blood Testing for CA 50 Important?
Tumours of the digestive tract often present with non-specific symptoms, such as generalized abdominal pain, indigestion, or fatigue. Measuring circulating levels of CA 50 provides specialists with objective biochemical data to assess the likelihood of malignancy, evaluate the effectiveness of an active treatment plan, and quickly detect recurrence.
Diagnostic Investigations
Clinicians frequently request a CA 50 test when investigating complex abdominal cases, particularly in:
- Patients with suspected pancreatic or biliary cancer where traditional CA 19.9 results are unexpectedly low due to genetic blood-type factors.
- Individuals presenting with persistent, unexplained upper abdominal pain radiating to the back, alongside jaundice or rapid weight loss.
Ongoing Treatment Surveillance
The CA 50 blood test is a crucial surveillance tool in clinical oncology for:
- Monitoring active chemotherapy response. A declining level indicates that malignant cells are being successfully destroyed.
- Routine post-treatment follow-up. Rising CA 50 levels can precede visible changes on MRI or CT scans by several months, allowing for rapid clinical intervention.
Understanding Gastrointestinal Symptoms
A quantitative CA 50 assay provides essential diagnostic evidence for hepatologists, gastroenterologists, and oncologists. For further clinical guidance on identifying symptoms of digestive tract 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 state your serum CA 50 concentration, measured in units per millilitre (U/mL). Normal reference ranges are generally low. Mild elevations frequently occur in benign digestive conditions, such as acute pancreatitis, gallstone blockages, or severe liver inflammation. However, progressive, markedly high, or rapidly increasing results strongly suggest a malignant process within the pancreas, stomach, or colorectal region. Specialists interpret CA 50 results primarily by assessing the trend over time rather than relying on a single isolated reading.
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 require experienced medical evaluation. If your CA 50 result is elevated or shows an upward trend, or if you are troubled by persistent gastrointestinal pain and weight loss, 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 50 blood test?
No special fasting is strictly required before a CA 50 blood test. You may eat and drink normally prior to your sample collection.
What is the difference between CA 50 and CA 19.9?
CA 50 and CA 19.9 are closely related tumour markers used to investigate gastrointestinal and pancreatic conditions. However, approximately 5% to 10% of the population lack the specific Lewis blood group enzyme required to produce CA 19.9. The CA 50 test does not require this enzyme, making it an excellent diagnostic alternative for individuals who are Lewis-negative and cannot produce CA 19.9.
How quickly will I receive my CA 50 test results?
Because this specialised tumour marker assay is performed by our accredited referral laboratory with stringent quality controls, your comprehensive diagnostic report will be securely delivered within 5 days.
Can non-cancerous conditions cause elevated CA 50?
Yes. While it is a tumour marker, benign conditions affecting the digestive system—such as gallstones, acute pancreatitis, severe liver disease (like cirrhosis), and inflammatory bowel conditions—can also cause elevated CA 50 levels in the blood.
Is the phlebotomy fee included in the £80.00 price?
No, the £24.00 phlebotomy service fee is separate. It covers the expert clinical blood draw performed by our qualified practitioners at our central Victoria clinic.
Online Trends
Most Searched Online Questions About CA 50
Is CA 50 used for routine cancer screening?
No. Like most tumour markers, CA 50 is not sensitive or specific enough to be used as a routine screening test for healthy, asymptomatic individuals. It is strictly used to monitor patients already diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancers or to assist in diagnosing highly suspicious symptomatic cases.
Is CA 50 used to monitor colorectal cancer?
Yes. While CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen) is the primary marker for colorectal cancer, CA 50 is sometimes used as a secondary or complementary marker to provide a broader biochemical picture during post-surgical monitoring.
Related Health Categories
Book Your Private Blood Test in London Today
Take Control of Your Oncology & Digestive Health
Stop guessing about complex gastrointestinal symptoms or your ongoing treatment progress. Secure your Cancer Antigen 50 (CA 50) 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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