Each year the number women who get cancer getting bigger. Cancer cells affect the reproductive system, mammary glands, and internal organs. A blood test for tumor markers will help you choose the right course of treatment.
Record content:
- 1 Functions in the body
- 2 How and under what conditions is it produced
- 3 Indicator table is normal
- 4 Indications for research
- 5 How is it determined
- 6 Preparation and analysis
- 7 Decoding the results
- 8 When to see a doctor
- 9 Possible complications
- 10 Video about the analysis for tumor markers
Functions in the body
All types of cancerous tumors spill special protein substances into the bloodstream. It is by such substances that one can judge the presence of malignant formations in the body. These protein substances are called tumor markers. Tumor markers are also present in urine.
In addition to early diagnosis of cancer, tumor markers also perform other tasks:
- Monitor the course of the disease.
- The effectiveness of the therapy is monitored.
- Prevent the advancement of metastases to other organs.
More than 150 substances are known that belong to tumor markers in their properties. But 30 of them are suitable for examination. Only this amount has a high specificity, their level becomes higher with cancerous tumors of different localization.
In medicine, the following types are distinguished:
- CA-125. The glycoprotein is high molecular weight, it is formed by cancer cells that have appeared in the ovary. Its high level diagnoses a malignant formation of the pancreas.
- CA-15-3. A specific marker that is located in the zone of malignancy, but is produced by ovarian cells, the pancreas.
- HE4. The content of this tumor marker becomes higher with a tumor formed in the female genital organs.
- SCC. It is involved in the differentiation of squamous epithelium and is produced by the salivary glands. Analysis for this tumor marker is prescribed to monitor the course of the disease.
- AFP. This protein is found in pregnant women and is considered normal. In other cases, it rises in liver cancer.
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CEA. Formed in the process of bearing a child by the cells of the fetus. With its high values, cancer of the uterus, prostate, and lungs can form.
- CA 19-9. Tumor marker of the gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal tract cancer, prostate cancer).
- B-2-MG. A high rate of tumor marker can be in autoimmune diseases, myeloma and leukemia.
How and under what conditions is it produced
A blood test for tumor markers in women is needed to identify pathology. But besides them there are markers of hepatitis, pancreatitis. All results and values in the laboratory are tumor markers of some kind of disease.
Moreover, in order to attribute the results to a tumor marker of any disease, it is necessary that its amount in the body changes with a specific pathology. To attribute an indicator to a tumor marker of liver disease, it is necessary that the amount of protein substances becomes less or more precisely in case of liver disease. The same applies to the tumor marker.
Indicator table is normal
A blood test for tumor markers in women in different medical clinics may differ depending on the examination method and units of measurement.
The table below shows normal blood counts when taking an analysis for tumor markers:
| Tumor marker | Meaning |
| CEA | 3 ng / ml |
| AFP | 14 ng / ml |
| CA 19-9 | 36 units / ml |
| CA 72-4 | 4 units / ml |
| CA 15-3 | 28 units / ml |
| CA 125 | 38 units / ml |
| SCC | 2 ng / ml |
| HCE | 12.5 ng / ml |
| CYFRA 21-1 | 3.3 ng / ml |
| HCG | 0.4 IU / ml (postmenopausal women) |
| PSA | 2.5 ng / ml (men under 40), up to 4 ng / ml (men over 40) |
| b-2 | 1.2 mg / l |
The norms of many tumor markers depend on the method of examination that is used in the medical institution. Information about the value of tumor markers is contained in the analysis that the patient will receive. The values are listed in the column next to the total.
Indications for research
A blood test for tumor markers in women is indicated for:
- the presence of poor heredity (if several people in the family have been diagnosed with cancer);
- the need for an accurate diagnosis (along with other methods of examining the tumor);
- the need to control the effective therapy of pathology;
- the need for further development of the tumor after undergoing therapy.
- sharp weight loss;
- bloody discharge in urine or stools;
- constant weakness and fatigue;
- hair loss for no reason.
Absolutely any doctor can send for tests for tumor markers. Often this direction is given by gynecologists, urologists, mammologists, because the genital area is most susceptible to oncology. Cancer of the mammary glands and uterus is in the first place in terms of disease among severe pathologies.
It is also possible to take the analysis independently without a referral. The insidiousness of oncology lies in the fact that the pathology is asymptomatic and is detected already in a chronic state, when the threat of complications is high.
Therefore, doctors advise taking an analysis at specific age intervals, which are considered the threshold for the onset of the disease. Women should undergo this examination from 35 years old, and men from 40 years old.
How is it determined
A specialist prescribes a blood test for tumor markers for women and men to obtain complete information about the pathology. Clinical and biochemical examinations determine the patient's condition in case of pathological intoxication and study the activity of systems and organs.
General analysis for cancer reveals:
- leukocytosis;
- anemia;
- thrombocytopenia;
- increased ESR.
The general analysis of urine in the detection of pathology is informative. So with myeloma, Bence-Jones protein is formed in the urine, and blood biochemistry reveals the state of the urinary system, protein metabolism and the liver.
Preparation and analysis
A blood test for tumor markers in women and men is carried out in the form of blood donation. You need to donate blood in the morning, mainly on an empty stomach.
It is better for women not to carry out an analysis for tumor markers during critical days, since the data obtained during this period of time may turn out to be false. Before the examination, you need to quit smoking, do not engage in physical education. Also, before taking the analysis, you need to know that some examinations may affect its result.
Therefore, before conducting a blood test, the following diagnostic methods must be excluded:
- X-ray examination;
- taking a smear;
- Ultrasound;
- biopsy;
- examination of bronchoscopy.
To get an accurate result of a tumor marker, you need to carry it out at specific time intervals. The health organization recommends specialized blood donation schemes for tumor markers to monitor human condition:
- People aged 30-40 years should take this test completely healthy to determine the exact value. Next, you need to take the analysis with the recommended period (once every six months, once every 3 years) and compare the result with the first analysis. If there is no such data, then you will need to do 2 examinations with an interval of 1 month. and find out the average and see if their numbers will melt. If it grows and becomes higher than the first values, it means that a malignant formation may appear in some of the organs.
- If the concentration of the marker increases, then it is necessary to re-do the examination after 14 days. If, according to the results of the second examination, the result is the same, then this indicates the presence of education in the body, therefore, several additional tests are required.
- After the procedure to remove the malignant formation, an analysis should be carried out 7 days after the end of therapy.
- Further examination is necessary after 2 months. for 2 years.
- Additionally, the number of tumor markers should be checked before any change in therapy. In this case, specific markers and their number will be basic, but it is with them that all further results must be compared. If the number of markers becomes lower, then the treatment helps, and if they remain at the same level, then the treatment does not work and a different scheme is required.
- If there is a suspicion of metastases, it is necessary to determine the number of tumor markers in the blood and compare them with those that were on the 7th day after therapy. If the number of tumor markers has increased, then this indicates metastases that have not been destroyed.
Decoding the results
Detection of oncology and deciphering of the results are always performed only by an experienced specialist. Here, the accuracy in conducting the examination and choosing the necessary analysis for oncormakers to the body is important.
Each type of tumor marker detects an acceptable standard, a deviation from which indicates the presence of a disease:
-
CEA tumor marker a glycoprotein that belongs to carcinofetal antigens that are formed at the time of fetal development. A high concentration of this tumor marker indicates the appearance of a tumor in the ovaries, lungs, rectum. It is impossible to decipher the analysis only by CEA, therefore the patient is prescribed additional examinations.
- AFP tumor marker quantitative, it is in small quantities in the blood in the body of every person. Its amount sharply increases with the appearance of cancerous tumors and at the time of bearing a child. Also, the number of this species becomes higher with tumors in the genitals in men, in the genitals in women and the liver. The number of tumor markers becomes higher with metastases in the liver.
- CA 19-9 - sialoglycoprotein, produced in the digestive system, saliva is needed to detect a malignant tumor in the pancreas. Also, a large number of this tumor marker speaks of the pathology of the stomach and female genital organs. A slight increase in the CA 19-9 value indicates hepatitis, cholecystitis, problems with the gallbladder, and autoimmune pathologies.
- CA 72-4 is a tumor marker, with the help of which a malignant pathology in the stomach is detected. This tumor marker is present in the blood cells of many people. Not always a high CA 72-4 value is the main indicator of cancer. To establish an accurate diagnosis, some additional studies are assigned.
- CA 15-3 - a tumor marker used only to detect lesions in women. Its increased amount indicates a malignant formation in the mammary gland. A high value can also appear with a cyst. The advantage of this test is that cancer is diagnosed, detected at the very beginning of its appearance and is treatable. Also, an increase in the number of tumor markers can talk about tuberculosis, liver cancer.
- CA 125 - a glycoprotein used to detect metastases. A blood test for this tumor marker is prescribed at the time of diagnosing an ovarian tumor and to assess the quality of therapy. A high value of this tumor marker also occurs with the appearance of pathology in the small pelvis, hepatitis, during menstruation. Also, a slight increase in CA 125 may appear in the first half of pregnancy.
- SCC is a tumor marker of squamous cell carcinoma of different localization. Its quantity is determined to assess the effectiveness of therapy and to identify the formation of a tumor of the cervix, nasopharynx. In the absence of oncology, the number of SCC can also increase in asthma and gallbladder pathology.
- HCE appears in neuroendocrine cells, its value may be higher in various pathologies of the central nervous system and ischemic brain diseases. A high HCE number indicates formation in the lungs and bronchi. A moderate increase in it speaks of non-cancer diseases.
- CYFRA 21-1 - the antigen is characterized by low specificity, appears in different types of cancer. Combined tests will help to pinpoint the inflammatory focus. If the diagnosis is confirmed, then, based on the results of the analysis, it will be possible to judge the size of the tumor and the prevention of the appearance of metastases. An increase in the value of a tumor marker indicates a pathology, which makes it possible to determine not only the presence of a tumor, but also to monitor its development. Analyzes during treatment provide information about its effectiveness, since a low level of tumor marker after surgery is a successful treatment.
- HCG is a tumor marker, which is formed on the 5th day after fertilization and speaks of the normal course of pregnancy. This tumor marker consists of alpha and beta subunits. An increase in the value of the latter confirms pregnancy 7 days after fertilization. In non-pregnant women, an increase in this tumor marker in the blood speaks of formations that are produced by the hormone. These include cancer of the kidneys, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract.
- PSA is a protein produced by the cells of the male reproductive organs and serves as a tumor marker for prostate cancer. The indications for the analysis are the observation of the course of the formation of the prostate, the appearance of metastases. Also, an increase in the values of this tumor marker in the blood speaks of various inflammations in the body, injuries. An even high value of this tumor marker occurs after sexual intercourse and with spastic constipation.
- b-2 - a tumor marker, an increase in the value of which confirms a malignant formation in the kidneys. It is a low molecular weight glycoprotein. An increase in the concentration of this tumor marker indicates various oncological diseases of the blood system, some forms of lymphoma. Also, an increase in the value of this tumor marker can occur with renal failure, in especially severe cases it can accumulate in the organs and provoke amyloidosis. The advantage of this marker is that it responds quickly to changes in the course of the disease. Therefore, it is successfully used to control the effectiveness of anticancer therapy. If after chemotherapy there is no decrease in b-2, then it is necessary to discontinue therapy and prescribe other medications.
When to see a doctor
Anyone can test for tumor markers of their own free will. But there is a risk group in which the threat of cell degeneration into cancer is high. For people who are included in this group, the examination of tumor marker samples is a mandatory annual event.
These include:
- people with benign neoplasms;
- people who have a history of chronic inflammation in the body;
- patients of a specific age.
In this case, to identify tumor markers, the doctor pursues the following goals:
- detects neoplasm in the early stages;
- determines the form of oncology;
- monitors the dynamics of therapy.
Possible complications
If a neoplasm is detected in a person who has passed the analysis for tumor markers, then he must definitely consult a doctor for the appointment of competent treatment. If you do not start therapy on time, the tumor will begin to grow rapidly, metastases will appear, which will lead to the death of the patient.
It is best to resort to a blood test for tumor markers for men and women under the supervision of an experienced an oncologist who owns up-to-date clinical data for accurate interpretation in every specific case.
Article design: Vladimir the Great
Video about the analysis for tumor markers
Is the tumor marker test procedure reliable or useless:
