Monitoring Tumor Markers
Tumor markers
Tumor markers are substances, usually proteins, which are found in abnormal amounts in the body in some patients with cancer.
These substances can usually be measured in samples of blood, urine, cancer tissue (from biopsies) or from other tissues.1
Commonly used tumor markers include:1
- Prostate specific antigen (PSA) for prostate cancer
- Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) for colorectal cancer
- HER2 and hormone receptors for breast cancer
- CA125 for ovarian cancer
- CA19-9 for pancreatic cancer.
Doctors most frequently use tumor markers to monitor the effectiveness
of treatment and help detect early cancer recurrences after treatment
has been completed.1
Tumor markers are also used in:1
- Cancer screening (finding cancer early)
- Diagnosis (making sure it is cancer)
- Prognosis (predicting how the cancer will change over time)
- Identifying patients who are eligible for certain cancer treatments
Not all cancers will have tumor markers.2 Ask your healthcare team if
a tumor marker is associated with your cancer. If so, know what your
specific levels are and how to interpret them.
There are a number of other tests your doctor may use to evaluate your
cancer. Find out more about these diagnostic
tests.
1. Tumor markers: what are tumor markers? American Cancer Society website. Updated December 8, 2008. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_2_3X_Tumor_Markers.asp?sitearea=PED. Accessed May 12, 2010.
2. Tumor markers: questions and answers. National Cancer Institute website. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Detection/tumor—markers. Accessed May 12, 2010.
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