Tumor marker testing is a method that supports the diagnosis, monitoring of treatment, predicting the chances of recovery and recurrence of cancer. The examination of tumor markers should comply with the standard procedure to get quick and accurate results.
1. What is a tumor marker test?
The tumor marker (tumor marker) is a biomarker, produced, released into the bloodstream by cancer cells or the body's healing cells when reacting to cancer cells or a few other benign (non-cancerous) tumor pathology conditions. These markers are found in the blood, stool, urine, in tumors, in pleural fluid, abdominal fluid,… cancer patients.
There are different types of tumor markers, each of which represents a certain pathology. Some cancer markers are specific only to one type of cancer but others tend to increase in many different types of cancer.
Tumor marker testing is a method of measuring certain cancer predicting substances, which are used to assess the presence of one or more types of cancer. However, there are also many other causes of increased cancer indicators (leading to false positive testing). Therefore, besides the tumor index test, it is necessary to rely on other methods, especially biomass to diagnose cancer.
2. Indications for tumor markers
- Screening for certain types of cancer is common in people at higher risk for the disease;
- Monitor cancer patients after treatment;
- Diagnosis of specific types of tumors, especially brain tumors or similar tumors that cannot be bio-diagnosed;
- Re-confirm the diagnosis, check for characteristics such as size, degree of invasiveness of the tumor, re-evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy;
- Evaluation of the stage of some tumors;
- The dosage of the treatment plan, which helps the patient to plan after treatment by surgical methods;
- Predict the patient's response to treatment and chances of recovery;
- Predict the likelihood of cancer recuring after treatment, detecting recurrence earlier than other tests.
3. Perform a tumor marker test
3.1 Implementation process
- Wrap the elastic bandage around the arm to prevent the flow of blood, which is more visible than the veins below the elastic bandage, making it easier to pierce the needle into the vein to draw blood;
- Antiseptic injection site;
- Pierce the needle into a vein, suck blood full of syringes;
- Remove the elastic bandage in the patient's arm when sufficient blood is taken;
- Place the gauze on the needle draw position, press on the injection site and bandage it again;
- Take blood samples through the laboratory;
- Return the results and answer the patient's questions.
3.2 Possible accidents and handling
There are very few problems that can arise from taking intravenous blood samples for testing. Usually, the patient will have a small bruise at the place of blood loss and can reduce the risk of bruising by weighing at the blood site within minutes.
In rare cases, after taking intravenous blood may become swollen (inflammation of the veins). In this case, the patient should take a warm gauze, apply several times a day to the swollen site.
In addition, patients with hemulation disorders who use anti-freezing drugs may suffer constant bleeding after blood sampling. In case of blood clot problems or taking anti-freezing drugs, patients should inform their doctor before taking a blood sample for testing.
4. Meaning of tumor marker testing index
Commonly used cancer markers for cancer screening include:
- Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP): Analysis from blood, used to diagnose liver cancer, monitoring treatment response; assess the stage, pred upgance and response to treatment of germ cell tumors;
- Beta-2-microglobulin (B2M): Analysis from blood, urine or cerebral fluid, used to determine the substance and monitor response to treatment of multiple myeloma, chronic lymphocytes, lymphoma,…;
- Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (Beta-hCG): Analysis from urine or blood, used to assess the stage, pred upgly and response to the treatment of germ cell tumors, cultured stem cell cancer;
- CA-125: Evaluation and detection of ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, ovary cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer and gastrointestinal cancers;
- Carcinoembryonic antigen: Evaluation, detection of gastrointestinal cancer, stomach cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, urinary tract cancer;
- CA19-9: Blood analysis, used to assess the response to treatment of gallbladder cancer, bile duct cancer, pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer and stomach cancer.
The accuracy of each tumor marker test will vary. In particular, some tests result in small changes in concentration or activity, so high accuracy is required. Meanwhile, some other tests result in a big difference between normal values and pathology so there is no need for high accuracy. Therefore, the accuracy of each test depends on the purpose of diagnosis. Combining multiple tests can give more accurate results.
Note: Some limitations of tumor markers:
- In addition to cancer, some other conditions can increase the concentration of tumor markers;
- Some tumor markers may be high in people without cancer;
- The concentration of tumor markers may change over time, so it is difficult to get a solid result;
- The concentration of a tumor marker may not change until the cancer worsens, so the tumor marker test has no affirmative value for early detection, screening or monitoring of cancer recurrence;
- Some types of cancer do not produce tumor markers in the blood.
Tumor marker testing is used to detect, diagnose, monitor treatment, plan appropriate treatment and detect certain types of recurrent cancers. Patients may be prescribed a tumor marker test in combination with other methods to confirm the diagnosis, have a timely and effective treatment direction.
Share99's oncology department is one of the important specialties of the department ofcology with the functions of diagnosis, treatment and cancer screening. Here, Share99 will provide a full range of medical care necessary for patients from cancer screening to phased treatments of the disease. Advantages of oncology department at Share99 with:
- A team of experienced domestic and international doctors with high expertise
- Comprehensive professional cooperation with domestic and international hospitals such as Singapore, Japan, USA ….
- Comprehensive treatment and care for patients, multidisciplinary coordination in the direction of individualization of each patient.
- There are a full range of professional means for diagnosing disease identification and pre-treatment arrangements: Endoscopy, CT scan, PET-CT scan, MRI, hismography diagnosis, gene-cell testing
- There are a full range of leading treatments for cancer: surgery, radiotherapy, chemicals, stem cell transplantation
To register for examination and treatment at Share99 International Health Hub, you can contact Share99 Health System nationwide, or register for an online examination HERE.
VIEW MORE
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