Tumor markers are specific components that appear in the blood and sometimes in the urine of cancer patients as a result of the vital activity of cancer cells. All of them are quite diverse in their structure, but often they are proteins and their derivatives. It is important to know that tumor markers can be found in the blood in some diseases and conditions that are not related to oncology. This is described in detail in our article.
What does a blood test for tumor markers indicate?
An increased level of indicators may indicate a prolonged pathological process. These results help in the monitoring and diagnosis of cancer. If a person knows which tumor markers to pass for prevention, then if a positive result is detected, the presence of a tumor can be diagnosed at an early stage. Then the treatment of the disease will be much more effective.
Tumor markers are molecules that constantly circulate in the blood. Most often, their presence indicates the presence of cancer.ailment. But their high content does not always indicate that a person has developed cancer. Tumor markers can talk about inflammatory processes in the body that occur in the liver, kidneys, pancreas and other organs. Also, these protein structures are found in some emotional states of the patient. However, if the test for tumor markers is positive, this is always a reason for additional examination.
Preparing for analysis
It needs to be clarified that this procedure must be taken very seriously. If the patient does not adhere to the rules, then the result may turn out to be erroneous, and the analysis will have to be retaken. Therefore, doctors advise to follow the following recommendations so that the results of oncomarkers are correct:
- A week before the expected date of the test, it is advisable to remove chips, crackers, purchased juices, sweet soda, as well as smoked fish and sausages from the diet. All of the above products contain dyes, stabilizers and artificial flavor enhancers. If they are in the blood in large quantities, they can provoke an incorrect result.
- Before the moment of passing the analysis, it is necessary to bring your psycho-emotional state back to normal. If the patient is under stress, some hormones are released. They also affect the appearance of protein structures in the blood. Therefore, before starting blood sampling, you need to have a good rest and not be nervous.
- To get the correct results of tumor markers, it is required to temporarily exclude smoking and alcohol.
- Forthree days before the appointed date, you must stop taking any pharmaceuticals, herbal teas, infusions and decoctions.
- Required to take tests from 8-00 to 12-00. The procedure must be carried out on an empty stomach. You can only drink a glass of water without gas and additives.
What tumor markers should a woman take?
For the prevention and detection of diseases, only specific indicators are used that can make it possible to identify oncology. You need to know that all tumor markers are extremely sensitive to any inflammatory processes. Therefore, if at least one focus of infection is present in the body, then tests can show the presence of cancer cells. In order for the result to be correct, it is initially required to undergo a hospital examination and completely exclude chronic ailments.
Main tumor markers:
- "CA-15-3 and MCA" - designed to detect malignant tumors in the breast. Also, using these indicators, the absence or presence of metastases is determined.
- Deciphering the oncomarker "CA-125" shows the presence or absence of ovarian cancer. Also, this protein structure in increased quantities occurs during pregnancy. Therefore, if "CA-125" is positive, then additional examinations are carried out.
- "CA-72-4" - this type is used in cases where there is a suspicion of ovarian cancer, when you need to be completely sure that the treatment is being carried out correctly, and also to confirm the gradual destruction of malignantcells.
- “hCG” in women helps diagnose uterine cancer. Thanks to the test, pathological abnormalities can be detected at an early stage. In addition, a similar analysis is used to re-diagnose the disease on the tissues of the uterus after surgery.
What oncomarkers should be taken for prevention for a man?
All of the following tests (provided that they are passed correctly) help to detect the presence of malignant cells months before they are detected by standard diagnostic methods.
Main tumor markers:
- "AFP" - makes it possible to determine the presence of pathological changes in the male testicles.
- "PSA" is a male tumor marker used to detect prostate cancer. It is also used to diagnose chronic inflammation in this area of the body, which helps to provide timely treatment.
When these indicators increase significantly, this is the first sign of oncology.
thyroid cancer
As already mentioned, a tumor marker is a protein secreted by cancerous and some he althy cells. It is found in both urine and blood. In case of thyroid cancer, blood is taken for the following tumor markers:
- "Calcitonin" - can be found in the patient's blood or urine. Used in the diagnosis of modular cancer. Its concentration depends on the formation and period of the pathological process.
- "Thyroglobulin" isa protein that collects in thyroid follicles. It is the main marker in the diagnosis of recurrence of malignant tumors.
- "CEA" (cancer-embryonic antigen) - with thyroid disease, the oncomarker increases. It is determined only in blood serum.
Tests for suspected bowel cancer
All tumor markers known today can be divided into two groups:
- Specific. They indicate that an oncological process is definitely present in the body, help determine its type.
- Non-specific - show the possible presence of an oncological process, but may also indicate that the body has inflammation of an organ in the absence of oncology.
Special can be classified as:
- "REA" is a tumor marker used to diagnose problems in the colon and rectum. If it is present in the analysis, it is possible to assume further dynamics of the tumor, obtain the necessary information about the parameters of the malignant neoplasm and set the growth period.
- "CA 242" indicates the pathology of the large intestine, pancreas and rectum at a fairly early stage. Based on the results of this examination, it is possible to predict the formation of a tumor in 3–5 months.
- "CA 72-4" is a tumor marker, the name of which is known to many laboratory assistants. It surrenders together with "REA". If antibodies are present, this indicates damage to the cells of the lungs and large intestine duringformation of small cell cancer.
- "M2-RK" this marker reflects metabolic processes in cancer cells. Its main feature is the lack of specificity in the examination of organs, which is why it is called the "marker of choice". The test is used as a special metabolic indicator, since this tumor marker for bowel cancer indicates the disease in the early stages.
Non-specific include:
- "AFP" (alpha-fetoprotein) - demonstrates the presence of a neoplasm in the sigmoid and rectum.
- "CA 19-9" - (carbohydrate antigen) reveals the pathology that is in the pancreas, esophagus, gallbladder and ducts of the large intestine.
- Deciphering the oncomarker "CA 125" in this case indicates the presence of an oncological process in the sigmoid colon. It should be noted that this marker is more often used for female ailments. It is often found in inflammation in the peritoneum, in the presence of ovarian cysts, during menstruation.
- "CYFRA 21-1" - an increased amount of this protein indicates problems in the rectum.
- "SCC" - an indicator indicating the defeat of the cancer of the rectal canal.
- "LASA-P" - the presence of an increased number of this marker notifies of a malignant neoplasm in the intestinal organs.
Tumor markers for prevention
Everyone knows that preventing cancer is much more important than curing the onset of the disease. Tests for tumor markers help diagnose cancer before the appearance of characteristicsymptoms. Most often, the indicators begin to rise six months before the onset of metastases. Men over the age of forty should definitely monitor their he alth and donate blood to the PSA, as this analysis helps to identify prostate cancer. Slightly elevated "CA-125" values may be a sign of a benign tumor, and results greater than the norm by 4-6 times indicate a malignant formation.
What tumor markers to pass for prevention? Here is a list of them:
- In case of gastrointestinal problems, a blood test is performed for "CA 15-3". Persons over 50 years of age are at risk for this type of pathological formations.
- "Thyroglobulin" is a tumor marker of the thyroid gland to detect pathology in it. A large accumulation of this protein may indicate the development of metastases, as well as the fact that there are thyroid antibodies in the blood. The level of "calcitonin" shows the size and rapidity of the development of pathology.
- To diagnose problems in the liver and gastrointestinal tract, the oncomarker "AFP" is used, which in half of the patients increases 3 months before the onset of the initial symptoms of the pathology. To further confirm the diagnosis, it is required to take tests for proteins "CA 15-3", "CA 19-9", "CA 242", "CA 72-4".
- NSE is taken to check the lungs for malignant tumors. This indicator can be present in nerve cells and in the brain. If elevated values are fixed, that the person has cancer.
- What tumor markers to pass forprevention of pancreatic cancer, many should know, since this is a very common disease. Doctors often prescribe an analysis for "CA 19-9" and "CA 242". If you determine only the last indicator, then you can make a mistake in the diagnosis, since "CA 242" may increase due to cysts, pancreatitis or other formations. Therefore, an analysis for “SA 19–9” is added to the diagnostics.
- For the study of the kidneys, there is a metabolic test "M2-RK". This indicator helps to determine how aggressive the tumor is. It differs from others in that it has an accumulation effect. An increase in this indicator may indicate oncology of the gastrointestinal tract and breast.
- When diagnosing the bladder, it is recommended to pass the "UBC". It can show the presence of oncology in the early stages in 70% of cases. To confirm the accuracy of the diagnosis, you need to additionally pass the "NMP22".
- In the lymph nodes, cancerous formations contribute to an increase in 2-microglobulin. The amount of this antigen tends to increase significantly with pathological formations occurring in all organs. Therefore, the indicator can determine the stage of oncology.
- To confirm a brain disease, you need to pass 4 tumor markers in the complex. "AFP" - indicates the presence of a neoplasm. "PSA" - may indicate a mutation in brain tissue cells. "CA 15-3" - used to diagnose brain metastases. Cyfra 21–2 indicates small cell carcinoma of the central nervous system.
- Tumor markers "TA-90" and "S-90" are used in oncology of the skin. If in the analysisblood they exceed the norm, this is evidence of the presence of metastases. This analysis can provide more extensive information only in combination with other markers.
- When examining bone tissue for cancer, the TRAP 5b marker provides the most complete picture. This is an enzyme that can be present in the body in different quantities. It is found in both women and men. A specialist laboratory assistant is needed to decipher the analysis.
- To detect throat cancer, two markers are required - "SCC" and "CYFRA 21-1". The first is an ordinary antigen, and the second is a special protein compound, which manifests itself in indicators much higher than normal. If there is a likelihood of throat cancer being diagnosed, then the "SCC" is greater than 60%. But these data can also occur with other ailments.
- To determine the oncology of the adrenal glands, you need to look at the presence of many tumor markers that are in the blood and urine. Most often, doctors prescribe a blood test for "DEA-s". Additional tests may be assigned to the main examination.
- When diagnosing female oncology, you need to know what the 125 oncomarker shows. It was reported above that it indicates the existence of malignant cells in the female ovaries. This protein is also present in he althy women, but in very small amounts.
- If there is a suspicion of breast cancer, the doctor prescribes the delivery of oncomarkers "MCA" and "CA 15-3". The first indicator is an antigen that allows you to diagnose benign and malignant diseases that are in the chest.
- Oncomarker "S 100" can track all cellular and extracellular reactions. It also contributes to the detection of skin cancer. Elevated results of this test provide information that the body has melanoma or other pathological processes.
Deciphering tumor markers
The patient himself does not need to delve into the interpretation of the test values. However, if you need to go to the doctor the next day, and it is interesting to get information right away, then you can use the table of tumor markers. It is shown below.
| Marker | Upper limit of normal | Diagnosis | Combination | Monitoring |
| CA-125 | SA oncomarker norm in women and men should not exceed 35 IU/ml | used for ovarian cancer research | SCC, NOT4 | + |
| SA-15-3 | value should not exceed 30 U/ml | shows breast cancer | REA | + |
| SA-19-9 | up to 10 U/ml is considered normal | AFP and gastrointestinal cancer |
REA (m) AFP(e) |
Only in combination with CEA |
| CA-242 | must not exceed 30 IU/ml | readings are the same as CA-19-9 | - | exclusively paired with SA-19-9 |
| CA-72-4 | - | manifested in ovarian cancer, breast cancer and gastrointestinal carcinoma | CA-125, SCC, CEA (m) | + |
| AFP | the indicator has a value up to 10IU / ml (if pregnancy occurs at this moment, then the data can show up to 250IU / ml) | indicates teratoma, testicular cancer and liver metastases | hcg | + |
| NE4 | from 70 pmol/l - 140 pmol/l after menopause | shows early stage ovarian cancer | - | + |
| SCC | 2.5 ng/l | indicates the presence of squamous cell carcinoma of any location | + | CA-125, CA-72-4NE4, |
| PSA | up to 40 years old - 2.5 ng/ml, people over 50 years old - 4 ng/ml | used to diagnose prostate cancer | PSA free | + |
| REA | up to 4 ng/ml (this group does not include pregnant women) | shows uterine, ovarian, lung and breast cancers | HE4, CA-15-3, SCC, CA-125 | + |
Only a laboratory assistant and an oncologist, who monitors the patient and the course of treatment, are fully deciphering the values of tumor markers.
Service cost
If a patient is tested for oncology at a municipal hospital, they can be paid by the state (if the patient has a policy). That is, it will be free for the patient.
In private clinics, such tests cost from 500 rubles per one.
Where can I donate tumor markers?
To undergo such tests, it is better to choose specialized clinics. That's whyit is desirable to consider medical institutions that have the necessary equipment and qualified specialists who are able to correctly decipher the results of the tests.
In this case, the patient will be able to make the correct diagnosis the first time, and he will not have to spend his personal time on additional studies. You can also take tests in regular municipal clinics. But practice shows that after these examinations, patients turn to specialized institutions for a retake.
Necessary time for analysis
It is impossible to clearly formulate the duration of waiting for the result, since it directly depends on the level of the clinic and its workload. If quality equipment is used, then results can be obtained in a day. In municipal polyclinics, the same procedure is delayed for several days, and sometimes even weeks.
