Cancer Marker

These examinations search for cancer indicators, commonly known as tumor markers. Tumor markers are chemicals frequently produced by normal cells or cancer cells reacting to one another. As an illustration, specific tumor markers are proteins made more significantly by certain cancer cells than by normal ones. Variations in the genes and other components of tumor cells may also serve as tumor markers. Samples of biological fluids, including urine or blood,  may include specific tumor markers. Cell samples taken during a tumor biopsy include additional tumor markers. 

After a cancer diagnosis, tumor marker tests are often performed. Regarding your cancer, the test findings might provide crucial information on: 

How fast is the cancer growing?

What type of treatment is most likely to help?

Is the treatment working?

Has cancer come back after treatment?

There are tumor markers for not all malignancies. Furthermore, no information is perfected from the known tumor markers. This is due to : 

Also, there may be an increase in specific tumor markers in non-cancerous situations. Tests for tumor markers are unable to distinguish between tumor indicators caused by cancer and other illnesses.

Certain individuals do not produce elevated amounts of the tumor markers typically associated with their particular form of cancer.

Tumor marker tests, however, even with these limitations, Additionally, certain tumor markers may be rising in your cancer when combined with the findings of other tests and examinations.

The primary purpose of tumor marker tests is to shed light on a confirmed cancer. However, they might also be utilized in some circumstances to assist in identifying cancer or screening for the disease.

Most typically, tumor marker tests are utilized following a cancer diagnosis. Tumor markers may be helpful when combined with other tests:

Check your body’s other regions to see if your cancer has spread (cancer stage)

Estimate your cancer’s potential growth rate, likelihood of recovery, and probability of recurrence.

Pick the best course of action for your particular cancer kind. Certain malignancies with specific tumor markers respond better to certain treatments. Another name for tumor indicators that aid in treatment planning is biomarkers.

Keep an eye on the effectiveness of your treatment. Declining tumor marker levels typically indicate the efficacy of your treatment.

Look for any cancer that doesn’t go away after treatment or that returns after it has.

Specific tumor marker tests that rely on bodily fluids—primarily blood or urine—have limited applicability in detecting particular cancer types. Test results are mainly used to screen individuals who:

There is a high chance of developing the cancer type associated with the tumour marker being examined.

Possess signs that could indicate that kind of malignancy.

Cancer cannot be diagnosed by tumor marker tests utilized in cancer screening. It only indicates that you have a higher chance of developing cancer if your tumor marker levels are high. A biopsy is typically required to identify or rule out malignancy.

Tumor marker assays employ tumor cells and may aid in cancer diagnosis. Typically, a biopsy removes these “tumor cell markers.” However, they may be combined with other testing to confirm a diagnosis of malignancy and ascertain the best course of treatment.

A Cancer marker test could be necessary if you:

Are you undergoing cancer treatment at this time

received their cancer therapy in full

Possess additional illnesses that raise your risk, or you have a family history of a specific type of cancer that puts you at high risk of developing it.

Your health and medical history, the diagnosis of cancer, and any potential symptoms will all influence the kind of test that you undergo. The most popular tumor marker types and their applications are listed below. There are tumor markers associated with a single kind of cancer. Others have connections to a wide range of cancer types: 

 CA 125 (cancer antigen 125)

Tumor marker for:      ovarian cancer

Used to:         

See if cancer treatment is working

See if cancer has come back after you’ve finished treatment

CA 15-3 and CA 27-29 (cancer antigens 15-3 and 27-29)

Tumor markers for:    breast cancer

Used to:          Monitor treatment in people with advanced breast cancer

PSA (prostate-specific antigen)

Tumor marker for:      prostate cancer

Used to:         

Screen for prostate cancer

Help diagnose prostate cancer

Monitor treatment

Check to see if cancer has come back after you’ve finished treatment

CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen)

Tumor marker for:      colorectal cancer, and also for cancers of the lung, stomach, thyroid, pancreas, breast, and ovary

Used to:         

See if cancer treatment is working

See if cancer has come back after you’ve finished treatment

AFP (Alpha-fetoprotein)

Tumor marker for:      liver cancer, and cancers of the ovary or testicles

Used to:         

Help diagnose liver cancer

Find out if cancer has spread (the stage of cancer)

See if cancer treatment is working

Predict chances for recovery

B2M (Beta 2-microglobulin)

Tumor marker for:      multiple myeloma, some lymphomas, and leukemias

Used to:         

See if cancer treatment is working

Predict chances for recovery

Tests for Cancer markers are most frequently performed on blood. Urine tests and biopsies are also commonly utilized to look for cacer indicators. A little tissue sample is taken out for testing during a simple surgery called a biopsy.

A doctor will take your arm’s vein and use a tiny needle to extract blood.    for a blood test. Little amounts of blood are collected into test tubes or vials after the needle is placed. As the needle enters or exits your body, you could experience a slight sting. Less than five minutes are often needed for this.

Regarding a pee test, Your healthcare professional will explain the procedure for supplying your sample.

The physician will take a tiny sample of tissue for the biopsy. Biologic sample preparations vary based on the location of the sample. Cutting or scraping the area of your skin can be used to take a biopsy. A small incision (cut) may be made to remove all or part of a suspicious area during a biopsy of tissue from inside your body, or a special needle may be used to extract a sample.

Does taking any preparation material help me ace the test?

Generally, no extra preparations are necessary for a blood or urine test.

A fasting period of several hours before the biopsy operation may be required.