The pancreatic cancer pathology report is an important basis for oncologists to formulate follow-up treatment plans. However, many pancreatic cancer patients and their families are difficult to read due to the strong professionalism of pathological reports. In order to help people to have better understanding of the medical terminology in the report, we have collated the common terms in the report for preliminary interpretation.

If you want to know more about the report on pancreatic cancer, you can make an appointment online or contact our Manila office at 02-8-822122 (Manila Office) or 0917-599-2277 (Cebu Office), professional oncologists will help to answer your questions.

1. What is CA19-9?

CA19-9, a type of sialylated mucin carbohydrate antigen, is a tumor marker. It plays an important role in diagnosing pancreatic because of its high sensitivity. CA19-9 can be found at infant’s pancreas, gallbladder, liver, and colon and also can be found at adult’s pancreas and bile duct epithelium.

2. What is CA242?

CA242 is a sialylated mucin carbohydrate antigen, which is rarely found in normal human tissues. When a malignant tumor occurs, CA242 in tumor tissues and serum tends to increase, especially in the case of pancreatic cancer and colorectal cancer. As a newly found tumor marker,CA242 has two advantages,singularity - elevated CA242 only occurs in malignant tumors; Featuring similar sensitivity as CA19-9, CA242 is a specific tumor marker for pancreatic cancer and colon cancer.

3. What is Well Differentiated and Poorly Differentiated of Pancreatic Cancer?

Tumor grade refers to the degree of differentiation of cancer cells and is also the main basis for the classification of malignant tumors.It is the description of a tumor based on how abnormal the tumor cells and the tumor tissue look under a microscope. Well differentiated tumors tend to grow and spread at a slower rate than tumors that are poorly differentiated, which have abnormal-looking cells and may lack normal tissue structures. The prognosis of well differentiated tumors is better comparing to poorly differentiated and undifferentiated ones.

If you want to know more about the report on pancreatic cancer, you can make an appointment online or contact our Manila office at 02-8-822122 (Manila Office) or 0917-599-2277 (Cebu Office), professional oncologists will help to answer your questions.

Tips from oncologist at St. Stamford Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou: The above is only a partial interpretation of the pathology report of pancreatic cancer. We must find a professional oncologist for a comprehensive interpretation on a detailed pathology report, so that patients can receive guidance and treatment on time to avoid irreversible consequences.