Tumor Markers are substance or protein created either by the cancer cells or by the normal cells in response to cancer growth in the body. They are also called Cancer Makers or Bio Makers.
Some tumor markers are found only in a specific type of cancer, whereas others can be found in several types of cancer. Tumor markers can show up in non-cancerous conditions too. High tumor marker levels can be a sign of cancer. Presence of tumor markers can be detected by testing body samples such as blood and urine.
Tumor Marker Tests.
The test is usually done with people who are already diagnosed with cancer. The test can help to identify if cancer has spread to other organs. By identifying the level of tumor markers it becomes possible to know if the treatment is working. The test helps doctors to diagnose cancer and also to plan the treatment accordingly.
The procedure of the test:
- Your medical assistant will take samples of your blood and urine.
- It will be further sent to the laboratory for analysis.
- If it is found that the level of cancer cells has increased, tumor markers will be measured in many samples taken over a period of time. This process is called serial measurement.
Why is Tumor Marker Test done?
Tumor marker tests are performed to:
- Look for cancer in people who have a strong family history of a particular cancer but themselves show no symptom of it.
- Help diagnose cancer.
- Help identify how far cancer has spread.
- Identify how vigorous the cancer is likely to be.
- Identify what treatment the cancer is likely to respond to.
- Detect how likely it is that cancer will recur after the treatment.
- Identify if cancer treatment is working or to detect if cancer has come back after treatment.
Limitations with Tumor Marker Test.
- Sometimes tumor marker levels can go high in people without cancer.
- Tumor markers will only get high when the condition has worsened.
- Some cancers do not have tumor markers.
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Blog Reviewed By: Dr. Shiva Kumar Uppala
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