Tumor Markers Flashcards
Define Tumor Markers
Glycoprotein molecules in the blood that are detected by monoclonal antibodies
Usefulness of Tumor Markers
Screening
Determining diagnosis & prognosis
Assessing response to therapy
Monitoring for CA recurrence
Where are tumor markers found?
Blood
Urine
Body tissue
Function of Tumor Markers
Help detect, diagnose & manage some types of cancers
“Ideal” Tumor Marker
Highly specific to a specific cancer
Highly sensitive
Long lead time
Levels correlate with tumor burden
Limitations of Tumor Markers
Elevated marker level may be caused by another condition/disease
Some levels may be high in people without cancer
Levels may vary over time
Almost everyone has small amount of a marker
Levels get higher only when large amount of cancer present
Some people with cancer never have high levels
Multiple Factors with Tumor Markers
Persons age & gender
Which test kit the alb uses
How test is done
CA 15-3 & CA 27.29 Cancer Type
Breast Cancer
CA 15-3 & CA 27.29 Tissue Analyzed
Blood
How is CA 15-3 & CA 27-29 used?
Assess whether treatment is working or disease has reocurred
What Cancers is CA15-3 & CA 270-29 found in?
Colon Gastric Hepatic Lung Pancreatic Ovarian Prostate
Benign Conditions that CA15-3 & CA27-29 are found in?
Kidney disease
Cystic disease
CEA Cancer Type
Colorectal
Breast
CEA Tissue Analyzed
Blood
How is CEA used?
Check if colorectal cancer has spread
Look for breast cancer recurrence
Assess breast cancer response to treatment
What is CEA found in?
Breast Lung Gastric Thyroid Lymphoma Melanoma
Benign Conditions with Elevated CEA
Cigarette smoking PUD IMBS Pancreatitis Cirhosis Hyperthyroidism
Cancer Types for CA 19-9
Pancreatic (most common)
Gallbaldder
Bile duct
Gastric CA
Tissue Analyzed for CA 19-9
Blood
How is CA 19-9 used?
Assess if treatment is working
CA 19-9 Found in
Colon
Esophageal
Hepatic
AFP Cancer Types
Liver
Germ cell tumors
Tissue Anayzed for AFP
Blood
How is AFP used?
Help diagnose liver cancer & follows response to treatment
Assess stage, prognosis, & response to treatment of germ cell tumors
AFT Found In
Gastric CA
Biliary CA
Pancreatic CA
Benign Conditions with Elevated AFP
Cirrhosis
Hepatitis
Pregnancy
B-HCG Cancer Types
Choriocarcinoma
Testicular CA
Tissue Analyzed for B-HCG
Urine
Blood
How is B-HCG used?
Assess stage, prognosis, & response to treatment
Non-seminomatous germ cell tumors
B-HCG Found In
Gastrointestinal CA
Benign Conditions with Elevated B-HCG
Pregnancy
Hypogonadism
Marijuana use
CA 125 Cancer Type
Ovarian CA
Tissue Analyze for CA 125
Blood
How is CA 125 used?
Help diagnose, assessment of response to treatment and evaluations
CA 125 Found In
Endometrial Fallopian tube Breast Lung Esophageal Hepatic
Benign Conditions with Elevated CA 125
Menstruation Fibroids Cirrhoidsis Ascites Pregnancy
PSA Cancer Type
Prostate CA
Tissue Analyzed for PSA
Blood
How is PSA used?
Help diagnose, assess response to treatment, & look for recurrence
PSA Found In
Prostate CA
Benign Conditions with Elevated PSA
Prostatitis
Prostate hypertrophy
Post ejaculation
What medications will decrease the PSA by half?
Finasteride (Proscar)
Dutasteride (Avodart)
Screening of PSA
Not recommended in average risk 40-54 year olds
Discussion about risk vs. benefits in 55-69 year olds
Post Treatment PSA
Rise in levels after radical prostatectomy suggest recurrence
