Current Recommendations For the Use of CA 19-9 in
Pancreatic Cancer
Although multiple studies have demonstrated the prognostic
value of CA 19-9 in monitoring response to treatment,
changing treatment based solely on rising CA 19-9
levels is not recommended. According to the American
Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) guidelines for
the use of CA 19-9 as a marker for pancreatic cancer,25
CA 19-9 measurements by themselves cannot provide
definite evidence of disease recurrence without confirmation
by imaging for clinical findings and/or biopsy.
CA 19-9, however, can be measured every 1–3 months
during active treatment. A rise in serial CA 19-9 levels
may indicate disease progression, and confirmation of
progression should be established with additional testing.