Hepatocellular jaundice with abnormally high CA19-9: A case report

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Oncology
• Clinical Biochemistry

Background:

• Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) is a tumor marker often elevated in pancreatic cancer.
• Elevated CA19-9 levels can also occur in other conditions, necessitating careful differential diagnosis.
• This case explores a scenario of markedly elevated CA19-9 in non-malignant liver disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of hepatocellular jaundice with significant CA19-9 elevation.
• To investigate the cause of elevated CA19-9 in the absence of malignancy.
• To illustrate the dynamic changes of CA19-9 in relation to liver disease activity.

Main Methods:

• A patient with jaundice and elevated CA19-9 was evaluated.
• Diagnostic workup included laboratory tests, CT, and PET-MR imaging.
• The patient received antiviral therapy and liver support.

Main Results:

• The patient presented with hepatocellular jaundice and a CA19-9 level of 284.8 U/mL.
• Imaging studies ruled out malignancy and biliary obstruction.
• Following treatment, jaundice resolved, liver function normalized, and CA19-9 levels returned to normal.

Conclusions:

• Markedly elevated CA19-9 can occur in benign hepatocellular jaundice.
• CA19-9 levels in this context are reversible and correlate with disease activity.
• CA19-9 should not be solely relied upon to diagnose malignancy in patients with liver disease.