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Test Code PF199 Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9), Pleural Fluid

Reporting Name

CA 19-9, Pleural Fluid

Useful For

An adjuvant to cytology and imaging studies to differentiate between nonmalignant and malignant causes of pleural effusions

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Specimen Type

Pleural Fluid


Specimen Required


Patient Preparation: For 12 hours before specimen collection 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: 2 mL


Specimen Minimum Volume

0.5 mL (Samples <0.5 mL may be rejected)

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Pleural Fluid Frozen (preferred) 90 days
  Refrigerated  14 days
  Ambient  7 days

Reference Values

An interpretive report will be provided.

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Saturday

Test Classification

This test has been modified from the manufacturer's instructions. Its performance characteristics were determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information

86301

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
PF199 CA 19-9, Pleural Fluid 19163-5

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
P199 CA 19-9, Pleural Fluid 19163-5
SITE8 Site 39111-0

Interpretation

A pleural fluid carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) concentration of 20.0 U/mL or higher is suspicious, but not diagnostic, of a malignant source of the effusion. This cutoff yielded a sensitivity of 35%, specificity of 95%, and positive predictive value of 88% in a study of 200 patients presenting with effusion. CA 19-9 concentrations were significantly higher in effusions caused by CA 19-9-secreting malignancies, including cholangiocarcinoma, colorectal, stomach, bile duct, lung, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers. However, effusions caused by non-CA 19-9-secreting malignancies, including lymphoma, mesothelioma, leukemia, and melanoma, routinely had CA 19-9 concentrations below 20.0 U/mL. Therefore, negative results should be interpreted with caution, especially in patients who have or are suspected of having a non-CA 19-9-secreting malignancy.

 

Correlation of all tumor marker results with cytology and imaging is highly recommended.

Clinical Reference

1. Shitrit D, Zingerman B, Shitrit ABG, Shlomi D, Kramer MR: Diagnostic value of CYFRA 21-1, CEA, CA 19-9, CA 15-3, and CA 125 assays in pleural effusions: analysis of 116 cases and review of the literature. Oncologist. 2005 Aug;10(7):501-507

2. Hackbarth JS, Murata K, Reilly WM, Algeciras-Schimnich A: Performance of CEA and CA19-9 in identifying pleural effusions caused by specific malignancies. Clin Biochem. 2010 Sep;43(13-14):1051-1055

3. Block DR, Algeciras-Schimnich A: Body fluid analysis: clinical utility and applicability of published studies to guide interpretation of today's laboratory testing in serous fluids. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci. 2013 Jul-Oct;50(4-5):107-124. doi: 10.3109/10408363.2013.844679

4. Yang Y, Liu YL, Shi HZ: Diagnostic accuracy of combinations of tumor markers for malignant pleural effusion: An updated meta-analysis. Respiration. 2017;94(1):62-69. doi: 10.1159/000468545

Report Available

1 to 3 days

Method Name

Immunoenzymatic Assay

Forms

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