Low Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) Levels in a Patient Highly Suspected of Having Caput Pancreas Tumor

Pancreatic cancer is the seventh leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide and the eleventh most common cause of cancer-related death in Indonesia. In pancreatic cancer, rapid and early diagnosis is crucial. Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9), the most sensitive and specific tumor marker for pancreatic cancer, may help in diagnosing and determining prognosis; however, some populations do not express CA 19-9. Cases of low CA 19-9 may occur in populations with Lewis(alpha-beta-) genotype. These populations are not able to express Lewis antigen and CA 19-9; therefore, CA 19-9 investigation cannot be used for diagnostic and therapeutic measures. In patients highly suspicious of pancreatic cancer where CA 19-9 levels are low, alternative tumor markers such as CA 125 and carcinoembryonic antigen or a combination of various tumor markers can be used to increase sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing pancreatic cancer. A 70-year-old man presented with a complaint of worsening abdominal pain for the last two days. The patient had dark-yellow urine and pale stool. Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography scan showed a mass on the head of the pancreas, which was highly suspicious of pancreatic cancer.