What is the significance of tumor markers

The presence of tumor markers alone is not enough to diagnose cancer. You will probably need other tests to learn more about a possible cancer or recurrence. Some limits to tumor marker tests are listed below. Tumor marker levels may not go up until cancer gets worse. This does not help find cancer early, or in people at high risk. It also does not help find a recurrence.

Some cancers do not make tumor markers that are found in the blood. And, some types of cancer have no known tumor markers. Your tumor marker levels might not go up, even if your type of cancer usually makes tumor markers.

A member of your health care team will take a sample of your blood or urine. The sample goes to a laboratory for testing. Some tests must be done more than once, because the levels of tumor markers can change regularly.

You will also need other tests to find cancer and check on treatment. This is because tumor marker results have limitations see above and are sometimes wrong. They might:. Doctors use different tumor marker tests for different cancers. However, many cancers do not yet have tumor markers that can help guide care. Ask your health care team if you will have tumor marker testing. You can also find information on tumor markers in the sections on different cancers on Cancer.

If I have abnormal levels of a tumor marker, what does that mean? How could this result affect my treatment plan? National Cancer Institute: Tumor Markers. Tumor Marker Tests Approved by the Cancer. How are tumor marker tests used? Tumor marker tests are most commonly used to do the following: Learn if a person has cancer. Limits of tumor marker tests Tumor marker tests are not perfect. Share your thoughts on this blog post on Cancer.

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What are the limitations of tumor marker tests? Other limitations include: Tumor markers can go up and down over time, making it hard to measure them consistently. The level of a tumor maker may not go up until after the cancer is advanced.

How are tumor marker tests done? What do I need to know about tumor marker test results? Where can I learn more about tumor markers and tumor marker testing? Tags: targeted therapy immunotherapy genetics. MedlinePlus: Tumor Marker Tests. National Cancer Institute: Tumor Markers. The NCI Cancer Moonshot SM Biobank is working with patient participants at community hospitals around the country to encourage them to donate tissue and blood samples over the course of their cancer treatment.

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