Cancer Antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9)

A tumor marker linked to pancreatic and biliary cancers.

Last reviewedJune 16, 2026

Serum

sample type

~5 mL

blood needed

~7 days

results in app

Any time of day

best timing

INCLUDED WITH ANIVA

199 € / year

0.55 € a day

Get Started

100+ biomarkers. Cheaper than a comparable test at your doctor. Guaranteed, or we match the price.

German PKV insurance usually reimburses.

On this page

Why test Reference ranges What you'll learn What affects it How testing works Sources FAQ

In short

Cancer antigen 19-9, or CA 19-9, is a sugar-protein marker found on the surface of some cells, including those of the pancreas and bile ducts. Small amounts circulate in healthy people.

It is measured as a tumor marker. A small share of people genetically cannot produce CA 19-9, so it is undetectable in them even if cancer is present.

Cancer Markers (Screening)

Reviewed against DGKL reference practice.

Why test this?

CA 19-9 is used mainly to monitor people already diagnosed with pancreatic or bile duct cancer, alongside imaging. It is not a screening test for healthy people, as benign conditions commonly raise it and some cancers do not.

Mild rises are often benign and can come from blocked bile ducts, gallstones, pancreatitis, liver disease, and diabetes. A high or rising level needs a doctor to interpret in context.

What is a normal result?

Aniva reads your result against research-backed ranges, not just the lab's wide normal. The reference shown below is specific to this biomarker.

Adult reference values as used by Aniva. Ranges are guidance and can vary by laboratory and method.

Group	Normal range
Adults	Below 37 kIU/L

Sources: 2012 ACB CA 19-9 Monograph

Your Aniva report reads your result against these values together with your age, sex and the rest of your panel.

Ranges are guidance and vary by lab and assay, aligned with DGKL practice. Always read your result against your own lab's reference interval.

What insights will this test give you?

A baseline CA 19-9 level, most useful when tracked over time.
An early flag that, with your doctor, may prompt further assessment.
Context your concierge can read alongside your history in a personalized action plan.

What can affect this result?

What can skew the result

Blocked bile flow, gallstones, pancreatitis, liver disease, and diabetes can raise CA 19-9 without cancer. People who lack the Lewis blood group antigen do not make it, so it can be falsely undetectable. Different assays are not interchangeable.

Best interpreted with

Sometimes read alongside CEA and liver function tests, and always with imaging and clinical history.

How is this tested?

Sample

Serum

Blood needed

~5 mL

Method

Immunoassay

Best timing

Any time of day

Sources. The evidence behind this

Mayo Clinic Laboratories: CA 19-9, Serum

Medscape: CA 19-9 Reference Range

MedlinePlus: CA 19-9 Blood Test

Common questions

Which Aniva panels include this marker?

Cancer and Tumor Screening

These tests measure key tumor markers linked to the most common and serious cancers.