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Serum carbohydrate associated antigen (CA19.9) is a reliable tumour marker of biliopancreatic malignancies. A number of benign diseases are also known to be related to CA19.9 elevation. Here we report a case of markedly raised levels of CA19.9 associated with heavy tea consumption.
Case report
A 52 year old woman was referred to our unit for epigastric pain and anorexia of two months’ duration. She also complained of nausea and a 2 kg weight loss. Her past medical history was unremarkable. She was a non-smoker and denied alcohol abuse or medication intake but remarked on overconsumption of warm black tea for several months (1.5–2 litres/day). Physical examination was normal.
Laboratory data demonstrated normal ranges for electrolytes, liver function tests, blood count, urea, creatinin, C reactive protein, amylase, and lipase. Fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, …