CA ANTIGEN 19-9 raised level

[Lcb2024]

Hi all.

 

My dad who is in his early 80s recently had his blood tests done and had one abnormal reading - his CA Antigen 19-9 level was just over 50. Normal range is around 27. I've heard that high levels of CA 19-9 tends to be associated with cancer of the pancreas, bowel, gallbladder, bile duct, lung. Is this true?

He has had no symptoms apart from the right side of his abdomen gets distended. 

 

He has been referred to further tests (CT scan) in a couple of weeks so not long to wait. But just wondering if anyone has had these high levels of this CA 19-9 Antigen and what this usually means??