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Test Code 199PC Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9), Pancreatic Cyst Fluid

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Specimen Type

Pancreatic Cyst Fluid


Ordering Guidance


This test should not be ordered for pancreatic fluid of noncystic origin (eg, pancreatic duct fluid, peripancreatic fluid) since reference values have not been established for those specimen types. For ordering assistance call 800-533-1710.



Specimen Required


Patient Preparation: For 12 hours before this procedure do not take multivitamins or dietary supplements containing biotin (vitamin B7), which is commonly found in hair, skin, and nail supplements and multivitamins.

Container/Tube: Plain, plastic, screw-top tube

Specimen Volume: 1 mL


Specimen Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Pancreatic Cyst Fluid Frozen (preferred) 90 days
  Refrigerated  7 days
  Ambient  72 hours

Reference Values

An interpretive report will be provided.

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday

CPT Code Information

86301

Clinical Information

Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) is a modified Lewis(a) blood group antigen that has been used as a tumor marker. Serum CA 19-9 concentrations may be elevated in patients with gastrointestinal malignancies, such as cholangiocarcinoma, colon cancer, or pancreatic cancer. While serum CA 19-9 is neither sensitive nor specific for pancreatic cancer, concentrations of CA 19-9 in pancreatic cyst fluid may help determine whether a pancreatic cyst is benign.

 

Cystic lesions of the pancreas are of various types:

Benign cysts:

-Inflammatory cysts (pseudocysts)

-Serous cysts (serous cystadenoma)

 

Mucinous cysts:

-Premalignant (mucinous cystadenoma)

-Malignant (cystadenocarcinoma, intrapapillary mucinous neoplasia)

 

Pancreatic cyst fluid CA 19-9 results should be used in conjunction with imaging studies, cytology, and other cyst-fluid tumor markers, such as carcinoembryonic antigen and amylase.

Report Available

1 to 3 days

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis Reject
Gross icterus OK

Method Name

Immunoenzymatic Assay

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send an Oncology Test Request (T729) with the specimen.