Tumour Markers/imaging

Question 1

What is CA 125 tumour marker for?

Answer 1

Ovarian cancer

Question 2

What is the CA 19-9 (monoclonal antibody) tumour marker used for?

Answer 2

Pancreatic cancer

Question 3

What is the tumour marker CA 15-3 (mab) for?

Answer 3

Breast cancer

Question 4

What is the tumour marker/ antigen PSA used for?

Answer 4

Prostatic carcinoma

Question 5

What is the tumour marker Alpha feto protein used for?

Answer 5

Hepatocellular carcinoma, teratoma

Question 6

What is the tumour marker CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen) used for?

Answer 6

Colorectal cancer

Question 7

What is the S-100 tumour marker used for?

Answer 7

Melanoma

Schwannomas

Question 8

What is the bombesin tumour marker used for?

Answer 8

Small cell lung carcinoma
Gastric cancer
Neuroblastoma

Question 9

When is a PET scan used? (Positron emission tomography)

Answer 9

Evaluating primary and possible metastatic disease
It combines images with techniques like CT to see whether lesions are metabolically active

Demonstrates glucose uptake

Question 10

What would be the first line investigation if someone came to you with prostate cancer and new back pain worse on lying down?

Answer 10

MRI spine

(PET scan is commonly used in cancer monitoring but it is not a first line investigation).

Question 11

What are the symptoms associated with spinal metastases?

Answer 11

Unrelenting lumbar back pain 
Any thoracic or cervical back pain 
Worse with sneezing, coughing, straining 
Nocturnal 
Associated with tenderness