To identify cancer, your doctor may be asked to measure tumor markers, which are substances produced by cells or by the tumor itself, such as AFP and PSA, that rise in your blood in the presence of certain cancers. signs and symptoms that may indicate cancer.
Measuring tumor markers is important not only for detecting cancer, but also for evaluating tumor development and response to treatment.
- Although tumor markers indicate cancer.
- Some benign situations can cause them to increase.
- Such as appendicitis.
- Prostatitis.
- Or prostatic hyperplasia.
- And therefore.
- In most cases.
- More tests are needed to confirm the diagnosis.
- Such as ultrasound or MRI.
- For example.
In addition, the values of tumor blood test indicators vary by laboratory and patient sex, it is important to consider the laboratory reference value. Here’s how to understand the blood test.
Some of the tests most requested by your doctor to identify cancer include:
What it detects: Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a protein whose dosage can be prescribed to look for tumors in the stomach, intestine, ovaries or metastases in the liver.
Reference value: Generally, in case of malignant changes, the value is greater than 1000 ng / ml, however, this value can also be increased in situations such as cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis, for example, its value is closer to 500 ng / ml. .
What it detects: A mucoid antigen associated with carcinoma (MCA) is usually needed to detect breast cancer. For some signs of breast cancer, read: 12 symptoms of breast cancer.
Reference value: In most cases it can indicate cancer when its value is greater than 11 U/ml in the blood test, however, this value may increase in less severe situations, such as benign ovarian, uterus or prostate tumors.
Your doctor usually also requests the measurement of the CA 27. 29 or CA 15. 3 marker to monitor breast cancer and verify response to treatment and recurrence possibilities. Understand what ca 15. 3 is used for and how to perform the CA exam.
What it detects: The bladder tumor antigen (BTA) is used to help detect bladder cancer and is usually given with NMP22 and CEA.
Reference value: In the presence of bladder cancer, the test is worth more than 1; however, the presence of BTA in urine may also be elevated in less serious problems such as inflammation of the kidneys or urethra, especially during bladder catheter use.
What it detects: Prostate antigen (PSA) is a protein that normally occurs for the prostate, but in the case of prostate cancer, its concentration may increase. Learn more about PSA.
Reference value: when the concentration of PSA in the blood is greater than 4. 0 ng / ml, may indicate the development of cancer and, when it is greater than 50 ng / ml, may indicate the presence of metastasis; However, to confirm cancer, other tests such as rectal touch and prostate ultrasound are necessary, as the concentration of this protein can also be increased in benign situations. Learn more about how to identify this type of cancer.
What it detects: CA 125 is a widely used marker for risk checking and monitoring the development of ovarian cancer. The measurement of this marker must be accompanied by more tests in order to make the correct diagnosis. Learn more about CA 125.
Reference value: Usually a sign of ovarian cancer when the value is above 65 U/ml; however, the value may also be increased for cirrhosis, cysts, endometriosis, hepatitis or pancreatitis.
What it detects: Calcitonin is a thyroid-produced hormone that can increase primarily in people with thyroid cancer, but also in people with breast or lung cancer, for example. See how calcitonin is tested.
Reference value: can be a sign of cancer when the value is greater than 20 pg/ml, but values can also be changed due to problems such as pancreatitis, Paget’s disease and even during pregnancy.
What it detects: Thyroglobulin is generally high in thyroid cancer, however, for the diagnosis of thyroid cancer, other markers, such as calcitonin and TSH, should also be measured, for example, as thyroglobulin can increase even in people who do not have the disease.
Reference value: Normal thyroglobulin values are between 1. 4 and 78 g/ml, above what may indicate cancer. See what the symptoms of thyroid cancer are.
What it detects: Carcinoembry embryonic antigen (CEA) can be tested for different types of cancer, usually in increased bowel cancer, which affects the colon or rectum. Learn more about bowel cancer.
Reference value: to be indicative of cancer, the ceA concentration must be 5 times higher than the normal value, which is up to 5 ng/mL in smokers and up to 3 ng/mL in non-smokers. and what it’s for.
In addition to these blood tests, it is possible to evaluate other hormones and proteins, such as CA 19. 9, CA 72. 4, LDH, Catepsine D, Telomerase and human chorionic gonadotropin, for example, that have altered the reference values when the cancer becomes an Organ.
In case of suspected cancer, it is necessary to confirm the diagnosis, usually requested by the doctor, of additional imaging tests, such as:
In most cases, confirmation of diagnosis is done by combining several tests, such as patient observation, blood tests, MRI, and biopsy, for example.