Types of tumour markers and their significance
Tumor markers are biological components that are produced in the human body as a natural response of the body to the progression and development of malignant or benign cancer processes. Most often they are in the form of proteins (antigens).
Although the production of these substances may be a consequence of other processes occurring in the human body, they are referred to as tumor indicators, since their values increase significantly precisely due to the presence of tumor formations, thanks to their increased production by cancer cells.
Some of the markers are indicators only of specific carcinomas, while others carry general information about the presence of cancer cells. Awareness of the different types of tumour markers and their significance is an important element of raising health awareness.
What tumour marker tests can be used for
Testing for tumour markers can be used to identify the current stage of the disease, to monitor the results of ongoing treatment or as a means of prophylactic monitoring after successful cancer therapies and treatments.
However, in some cases, testing to determine the amount of tumour markers in the biological material may even contribute to the patient’s diagnosis. However, it should be borne in mind that laboratory results are only part of the complete clinical picture and tumour markers may also be elevated in other non-cancerous diseases.
Which are the commonly tested types of tumor markers
The tumor markers that are tested in a medical laboratory and are most commonly used for cancer follow-up and recurrence prevention are CEA, CA 15-3, CA 125, HE 4 (ROMA), f PSA and PSA total (Ratio). Here’s what each of them represents and what diseases its quantitative abnormalities are associated with.
CEA is a so-called carcinoembryonic antigen. It is used as a common tumor marker for testing in both women and men, at a stage where the patient has already been diagnosed. Its levels are elevated in malignant ovarian, cervical, colorectal, breast, lung or pancreatic cancers, as well as in prostate tumours.
Elevated levels of CEA may also be seen in the presence of other non-tumor diseases such as gastric ulcers, colitis, rectal polyps, gallbladder or pancreatic inflammation, and benign breast disease.
Behind the name CA 15-3 is the cancer antigen 15-3, which is one of the mucinous antigen molecules secreted by tumor cells in the breast. Therefore, the testing of this tumour marker is performed in women and is commonly used specifically to monitor the development of breast cancer and track the outcome of the treatment.
Unfortunately, a high amount of CA 15-3 is often an indicator of metastasis – tumor dissemination due to the spread of cancer cells. It is important to keep in mind that this test is not used for diagnosis, but is used to monitor the body’s response to ongoing therapy, as well as a prophylactic check for recurrence.
CA 15-3 levels may also rise in the presence of tumours in other areas such as the lung, colon, liver, ovary or uterus.
CA 125 and HE 4 (ROMA) are two indicators that are used as markers for ovarian cancer. The results of these markers can be used to study the risk of patients with a predisposition to this type of cancer, as well as to monitor the already diagnosed disease, the response of the tumor to treatment, and to prevent recurrence.
Although CA 125 is a marker of risk prior to tumour onset, the test cannot be taken as sufficient for screening and diagnosis as the marker may also be elevated in non-cancerous circumstances.
PSA is the so-called prostate-specific antigen. Its values increase in the presence of tumor damage to the prostate, but may also be an indication of the presence of other prostate problems of a non-carcinomatous nature. The test is used as part of the diagnostic tools as well as for disease monitoring, treatment and recurrence prevention.
