tumour diagnosis and prognosis

Question 1

where can you find tumour markers?

Answer 1

in urine, blood or CSF samples

Question 2

what are some things you look for when looking for tumour markers?

Answer 2

HCG - human chorionic gonadotrophin
AFP-alpha fetoprotein (liver cancer germ cell tumours)
PSA- prostate specific antigen (comes from the prostate)
different tumours give off difference markers

Question 3

describe the TNM staging of cancer?

Answer 3

tumour, nodes, metastasis.
tumour depend on the size and shape of the tumour.
nodes depends on if the tumour has spread to local and/or distant nodes.
metastasis depends on if it has spread to other organs and bones.

Question 4

describe each stage?

Answer 4

stage 1-small tumour
stage 2- large tumour
stage 3-tumour spreads to local lymph nodes
stage 4- tumour spreads to lungs and distant lymph nodes.

Question 5

what is the difference between the stage and grade of a tumour?

Answer 5

stage looks at how far the tumour has grown,

grade looks at differentiation ad proliferation of the tumour.