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what are tumor markers
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- tumor markers
Preview- It really is obvious that, if the tumor marker is being used to determine whether a treatment is working or if there is recurrence (i.e., relapse), the tumor marker levels are often measured over a period of time to see if the levels are increasing or decreasing. Recurrence, cancer that has recurred (come back), usually after a period of time during which the cancer could not be detected. The cancer may come back to the same place as the original (primary) tumor or to another place in the body. Also called recurrent cancer.
- One can presume that, most tumor markers are not sensitive (i.e., sensible) or specific enough to be used for cancer screening. Screening, checking for disease when there are no symptoms. Since screening may find diseases at an early stage, there may be a better chance of curing the disease. Examples of cancer screening tests are the mammogram (breast), colonoscopy (i.e., coloscopy) (colon), and the Pap test (i.e., papanicolaou smear test) and HPV test (cervix (i.e., neck, or cervix of uterus)). Screening can also include checking for a person`s risk of developing an inherited disease by doing a genetic test.
- It would seem to be apparant that, therefore, measurements of neoplasm markers are usually combined with other tests, such as a biopsy, to diagnose cancer. Biopsy is the removal of cells or tissues for examination by a pathologist. The pathologist may study the tissue under a microscope or perform other tests on the cells or tissue. There are many different types of biopsy procedures. The most common types include: (1) incisional biopsy, in which only a sample of tissue is removed; (2) excisional biopsy, in which an entire lump or suspicious area is removed; and (3) needle biopsy (i.e., aspiration biopsy), in which a sample of tissue or fluid is removed with a needle. When a wide needle is used, the procedure is called a core biopsy. When a thin needle is used, the procedure is called a fine-needle aspiration biopsy (i.e., fine-needle biopsy) (i.e., needle biopsy).
