TUMOR MARKERS

SADIQ

TUMOR MARKERS

Tumor markers are substances found in the blood,

urine, stool, other bodily fluids, or tissues of some

patients with cancer.

Tumor markers may be used to help diagnose cancer,

predict a patient’s response to certain cancer

therapies, check a patient’s response to treatment, or

determine whether cancer has returned.

More than 20 tumor markers are currently in use.

Concentration increases with tumor progression,

highest levels when tumors metastasize.

APPLICATION OF TUMOR

MARKERS

Screening populations at risk

Diagnosis

Prognosis

Detection of recurrence

Monitoring response to treatment

TYPES OF TUMOR MARKERS

• ALK gene rearrangements

• Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)

• Beta-2-microglobulin (B2M)

• Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (Beta-hCG)

• Calcitonin

• Chromogranin A (CgA)

• Fibrin/fibrinogen

• Lactate dehydrogenase

• Prostate-specific antigen (PSA)

about 20 tumor markers are commonly used for tumor

diagnosis

USE OF TUMOR MARKERS IN

CANCER SCREENING• Example: the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test,

which measures the level of PSA in the blood, is

often used to screen men for prostate cancer.

• an increased PSA level can be caused by benign

prostate conditions as well as by prostate cancer, and

most men with an elevated PSA level do not have

prostate cancer.• Used to detect cancer early before any symptoms

• useful in determining whether a tumor is responding

to treatment.