Oncology is a dangerous problem. Many people die every year because of this disease. The fourth known cause of death is ovarian cancer. Moreover, the death rate is highest in economically developed regions. Cancer can be cured if detected early. This will help the oncomarker of epithelial ovarian cancer HE4. What is the rate of this indicator will be described below.
About this type of cancer
Signs of the disease are often quite difficult to recognize, as they are directly related to the tumor-like formation in the appendages and therefore indistinct. According to information provided by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the five-year survival rate for patients with advanced ovarian cancer is approximately 46%. But if the disease is detected at the initial stages, then the survival rate will increase to 94%. Modern research gives people a chance to fight this disease. The onset of a malignant process is detected at the initial stages in the study of tumor markers. With an increase in their level, doctors are sounding the alarm. In this article, we will consider the HE4 tumor marker.
Determination of a tumor marker
In the human body there are substances in a small volume, which are called tumor markers. They participate in various physiological and biochemical formations and are not dangerous in the quantitative norm. Everything will be different if their volume starts to increase. This indicates the likelihood of malignancy. For example, to determine ovarian cancer, the CA-125 tumor marker is most often used. But later it turned out that the HE4 tumor marker more accurately determines oncology.
This is a serous protein that blocks the proteinase enzyme, translated as "human protein - four appendages." In the required small amount, it is found in the testicles and functions in the production of sperm. It is also found in the respiratory structure, fallopian tube and mucous membranes. But how exactly it functions and how it affects individual pepsins is still not clear.
Indications for analysis
Any woman can have a small amount of the HE4 tumor marker. Its volume increases with such diseases as:
- Ovarian cancer.
- Endometrial cancer.
- Breast cancer.
- Lung cancer.
HE4 Benefits
At the same time, the HE4 oncomarker means already a malignant process. It cannot be determined with a benign process or inflammation of the ovaries. This goes to show how effective HE4 is.
Its predecessor, the tumor marker CA-125, is also aimed at detecting cancer, but it haslow precision. That is, the volume of CA-125 becomes larger in the last stages with the correct diagnosis. And the amount of HE4 increases about three years before the exact definition of the disease.
Accordingly, with the help of research, cancer can be detected at an early stage, while symptoms have not yet appeared. Despite this, the decoding of the HE4 tumor marker is not used to study formations in the ovarian region. It cannot recognize germ cell and mucoid cancer.
HE4 is used to monitor women who have already started treatment. Accordingly, if this analysis is no longer done during treatment, then the therapy used is successfully passing.
By the amount of this oncomarker, it is possible to determine the process of formation of secondary foci of tumor growth as a result of cell divergence from the original focus to neighboring tissues or its renewal.
Testing for HE4
The causes of high mortality due to cancer is the definition of the disease in the last stages of its development. With the help of HE4 analysis, cancer can be detected early, thereby reducing the likelihood of death. A tumor marker can be detected in blood taken from a vein. For the correct delivery of the analysis, you must:
- Donate blood strictly on an empty stomach or four to five hours after eating. You can drink water, but coffee or juices are not recommended.
- If possible, do not take any medication for a few days (3-4 days) before the test.
- Do not drink or smoke before taking the test.
- Women starting treatment are tested every three months. In the future, one or two times will be enough to check.
In some cases, the examination is prescribed for children. They need to drink boiled water for half an hour before taking the test. The average amount of water drunk should be 150-200 ml.
Women should be tested if there is pain in the pelvic area, menstrual cycle is disturbed, appetite is reduced.
In the study, it is important to identify a high level of oncomarker.
HE4 tumor marker: transcript
The norm depends on the gender, age of the patient. After the blood is taken for analysis, it is necessary to wait. The result will be ready in a couple of days.
HE4 volume is determined using a special chemiluminescent study.
The bottom line is this: there is a certain reaction of labeled compounds and the desired 4th protein. Then there is a change of all their inherent properties. The catalyst starts the glow reaction. Now, with the help of instrumental methods, the level of the oncomarker is determined and calculated.
Norms for men and women
The normal amount of protein-4 in premenopausal women is no more than 70 pmol/l, and after menopause it is slightly less than or equal to 140 pmol/l. The higher these indications, the greater the likelihood of ovarian cancer.
But you should definitely know that there are age norms, that is, depending on age, the data changes. Therefore, it is betterask your doctor for information. Here is what the HE4 tumor marker shows.
There is the following interesting fact. When HE4 was deciphered, we received the following data: a third of the female half of the population has elevated levels of this oncomarker, but CA-125 most often remains within the acceptable range.
What is the norm of this indicator in men? It is at the level of 4 ng/ml and below. You should be wary if very high rates are found. This may indicate the development of a dangerous oncological disease in the body.
There is a change in the norm with age. After forty years in men, the norm will be 2-2.5 ng / ml, after sixty years - 4.5-6.5 ng / ml.
Statistics show that more and more men of all ages are seeking medical help. They have elevated tumor markers in the blood and have prostate pathology.
Analysis error
It should be borne in mind that the analysis for a tumor marker itself is not a basis for confirming or refuting oncology. It is more correct to use HE4 with other analyzes. It is best to explore it with the SA-125. And also to carry out various types of diagnostics, both laboratory and instrumental.
Sometimes a high HE4 tumor marker value is caused by a non-cancerous process. The test will have a false positive result at:
- the presence of a systemic hereditary disease, which is explained by a change in the transmembrane generegulator;
- presence of other inflammations of the genitourinary structure;
- chronic renal failure;
- ovarian cyst;
- myome.
How to recognize the symptoms of cancer?
At the slightest disturbance in the body, you must consult a doctor. He will prescribe an analysis for the tumor marker of epithelial ovarian cancer HE4. The norm or deviation from it will be revealed quickly. At first, symptoms may be completely absent. But in any case, the analysis should be carried out at:
- ovarian disorders and menstrual problems in women;
- acute pelvic pain syndrome;
- deterioration of general well-being with reduced appetite;
- abrupt and causeless weight loss;
- apathy.
When confirming the diagnosis, there is no need to panic, because cancer is now being successfully treated. Of course, this is a test, but you can overcome it and emerge victorious from the fight.
Self-treatment is unacceptable, you should rely only on the recommendations of a specialist.
It will take patience and strength, because therapy is hard work, long and unpleasant.
Conclusion
An erroneous result can be if the tumor does not produce HE4 or it is not present in sufficient quantities to determine.
Despite what the analysis will show, you should not get upset ahead of time and establish any diagnosis for yourself. Medical specialists can identify the disease and prescribe a course of treatment, but only after a complete examination.
