How Important Are Tumor Markers
Tumor markers
Tumor markers are biochemical indicators that are used to detect or chek presence of cancers generaly. these biochemical indicators are abnormal molecules secreted by the tumor celssand they are included surface anitigens, cytoplasmic proteins, enzymes and hormones.
These markers are measured from the serum and are used in screening tests of the population to evaluate presence of cancer. These markers are also important in supporting diagnosis of cancers. And also in addition they are used in monitoring response of the therapies and the detection of recurrence.
There are numerous tumor markers that have been described and I will talk about now the most important or clinaclly used ones of tumor markers and the others on the table
Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). This is a glycoprotein, which is normally produced by the embryonic tissue of liver, gut and pancreas. The presence of CEA in serum can be seen in several cancer like tumors of colon, pancreas, stomach and lung. In about 67% of the patients with colorectal cancert CEA can be identified. Unfortunatery, serum CEA is also detected in several other disorders such as alcoholic cirrhosis (70%), emphysema (57%) and diabetes mellitus (38"/.). Due to this, CEA lacks specificity for cancer detection. However, in established cancer patients (particularly of colon and breast), the serum level of CEA is a useful indicator to detect the burden of tumor mass, besides monitoring the treatment.
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) : this is also chemical glycoprotein, which is normally synthesized by yolk sac in early fetal life. Elevation in serum levels of AFP shows the presence of cancers of liver and germ cells of testis and, to some times, carcinomas of lung, pancreas and colon. As is the case with CEA, alpha-fetoprotein is not specific for the detection of cancers. Elevated levels of AFP are also observed in cirrhosis, hepatitis and pregnancy. However measurement of serum AFP gives a sensitive index for the tumor therapy and detection of recurrence
Tumor markers are biochemical indicators that are used to detect or chek presence of cancers generaly. these biochemical indicators are abnormal molecules secreted by the tumor celssand they are included surface anitigens, cytoplasmic proteins, enzymes and hormones.
These markers are measured from the serum and are used in screening tests of the population to evaluate presence of cancer. These markers are also important in supporting diagnosis of cancers. And also in addition they are used in monitoring response of the therapies and the detection of recurrence.
There are numerous tumor markers that have been described and I will talk about now the most important or clinaclly used ones of tumor markers and the others on the table
Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). This is a glycoprotein, which is normally produced by the embryonic tissue of liver, gut and pancreas. The presence of CEA in serum can be seen in several cancer like tumors of colon, pancreas, stomach and lung. In about 67% of the patients with colorectal cancert CEA can be identified. Unfortunatery, serum CEA is also detected in several other disorders such as alcoholic cirrhosis (70%), emphysema (57%) and diabetes mellitus (38"/.). Due to this, CEA lacks specificity for cancer detection. However, in established cancer patients (particularly of colon and breast), the serum level of CEA is a useful indicator to detect the burden of tumor mass, besides monitoring the treatment.
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) : this is also chemical glycoprotein, which is normally synthesized by yolk sac in early fetal life. Elevation in serum levels of AFP shows the presence of cancers of liver and germ cells of testis and, to some times, carcinomas of lung, pancreas and colon. As is the case with CEA, alpha-fetoprotein is not specific for the detection of cancers. Elevated levels of AFP are also observed in cirrhosis, hepatitis and pregnancy. However measurement of serum AFP gives a sensitive index for the tumor therapy and detection of recurrence