Turnaround times
The quoted turnaround time is from sample receipt in the laboratory, to results authorisation in the Laboratory Information Management system. The times do not include transport of specimen to the laboratory or the administrative process to print and post/email reports. Service users must allow for transport and reporting time when ordering tests.
Clinical background:
CA 19-9 is a glycolipid antigen existing as a high molecular weight mucin glycoprotein. It cannot be detected in the 3-7% of the general population who cannot produce this antigen. It is used largely for monitoring pancreatic and biliary tract cancer which occurs more frequently in men (2.5x females) with a peak incidence at 50-60 years. Combining CEA and CA19-9 measurement can increase sensitivity. The half life of CA19-9 is approximately 7 hours.
Specimen container paediatric:
Serum (SST or plain tube)
Specimen container adult:
Serum (SST or plain tube)
Minimum volume paediatric:
0.5 mL
Minimum volume adult:
1 mL blood
Sample stability:
Unseparated: 7 days
Separated:
At 15-25C – 7 days
At 2-8C – 30 days
At -20C – 3 months
Reference ranges:
0 – 34 kU/L
Other info:
lithium heparin plasma sample also acceptable