Type of test Blood

Normal findings

 Normal values vary per laboratory

Test explanation and related physiology

Tumor markers are produced by cancer cells or by other cells of the body in response to cancer. Most TMs are made by normal cells as well as by cancer cells; however, they are overproduced by cancers. These substances can be found in the blood, urine, stool, tumor tissue, or other tissues or bodily fluids. Most TMs are proteins. However, changes in tumor cell RNA and DNA are also used as TMs. Many different TMs have been characterized. Some are associated with only one type of cancer, but others are associated with two or more cancer types. Sometimes noncancerous conditions can cause elevated TMs, but they are usually less elevated than in cancer.

Tumor markers are generally not used for cancer screening because they are not sensitive or specific enough. Neither are they used to diagnose cancers. Prostate-specific antigen(PSA), CA-125, and a few other TMs are being used very carefully in screening, but, alone, the cost-effectiveness is questionable.

Tumor marker levels may be measured before treatment to help doctors plan the appropriate therapy. In some types of cancer, the level of a tumor marker reflects the stage of the disease and/or the patient’s prognosis. Pretreatment TM scan be used to establish a baseline level against which posttreatment TMs can be compared in order to determine the effectiveness of therapy. A decrease in the level of a TM or a return to the TM’s normal level may indicate that the cancer is responding to treatment, but no change or an increase may indicate that the cancer is not responding.

Tumor markers may also be measured during cancer follow up evaluations to check for recurrent disease. There are many TMs presently being used in cancer care. Table 1 lists the most commonly used markers.

Table1. Tumor markers and their associated cancers

Interfering factors

• Other benign and malignant diseases associated with elevations

Procedure and patient care

 • See inside front cover for Routine Blood Testing.

• Fasting: no

 • Blood tube commonly used: varies by test and laboratory

• The blood sample may be sent to a central diagnostic laboratory. The results may not be available for 7 to 10 days.

Abnormal findings

Increased levels

- Cancer

- Metastatic cancer

- Benign disease

اخر الاخبار

اخبار العتبة العباسية المقدسة

قسم شؤون المعارف يطلق دورة (صفات الشيعة) لعدد من ملاكات العتبة العباسية المقدسة

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جامعة الكفيل تكرِّم طلبتها المتميزين من ذوي الاحتياجات الخاصة

فريق طبي في مستشفى الكفيل يجري عملية ناجحة لطفل يعاني من تشوّه ولاديّ بالنخاع الشوكي

المزيد

الآخبار الصحية

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فاكهة خضراء.. علاج طبيعي فعّال للإمساك واضطرابات الهضم

روسيا تبدأ أولى التجارب السريرية للقاح واعد ضد السرطان

كنز غذائي على طبقك.. ماذا تفعل السبانخ بجسمك؟

المزيد

الآخبار التكنلوجية

رصد نوع نادر من القطط في تايلاند للمرة الأولى منذ عقود

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المزيد

مواضيع ذات صلة

marijuana (THC) test (Cannabinoid or cannabis testing, Tetrahydrocannabinol [THC] testing)

lung cancer molecular testing (AKT1, ALK, BRAF, Epidermal growth factor [EGFR], HER2, KRAS, MEK1, MET, NRAS, PIK3CA, RET, and ROS1)

kidney stone analysis (Urinary stone analysis, Renal calculus analysis)

Variability and Standardization of CSF Examination

Lab Diagnosis of Yellow fever

hexosaminidase (Hexosaminidase A, Hex A, Total hexosaminidase, Hexosaminidase A and B)

hemoglobin electrophoresis (Hgb electrophoresis)

growth hormone stimulation test (GH provocation test, Insulin tolerance test [ITT], Arginine test, Glucagon Stimulation test)

Markers of Bone Resorption: Amino and Carboxy-Terminal Telopeptides of Collagen Type I

Markers of Bone Resorption: Collagen Cross-Links

Bone Formation Markers : Osteocalcin

Diagnosis of Prion Disease