CA 19-9 and treatment

[Vasil]

I apologize for keeping on posting as I am a foreigner living in a small country in Eastern Europe. But the nurses have reassured me that location and country of origin do not matter on this wonderful forum. So I have the following question. Is it necessary that levels of CA 19-9 drop to normal levels below or slightly above 37 in order to consider a favourable outcome of treatment? My father is just finishing his 12th cycle of Folfirinox treatment but his CA 19-9 is still very high, over 2000 IU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[PCUK Nurse Rachel R]

Hi Vasil,

It's Rachel here, one of the nurses. No need to apologise for your posts.

In terms of the Ca19-9 level, it's important to remember that this is just one clue so to speak when assessing a persons' response to treatment. Usually an Oncologist will base response predominantly on a CT scan result. It's also important to consider how your Father is in himself, so for instance has he had an improvement in any of his symptoms during the course of treatment?

Vasil, we are more than happy to explore this with you in more detail via our support line if that would be helpful for you. I appreciate that it's not an easy time waiting to see what Dad's response to chemotherapy is.

Kind wishes,

Rachel

Rachel Richardson

Pancreatic Cancer Specialist Nurse

Support Team

Pancreatic Cancer UK

email: nurse@pancreaticcancer.org.uk

support line: 0808 801 0707