As we all know early detection of cancer is a priority for all as it offers the best chance
for cure. The aim to diagnose cancer
when the tumour is small enough to be removed surgically. A tumour marker is a specific
substance present in the blood of a patient having the tumour. These tumour markers are
quite sensitive to the type of the cancer.
The ease of collecting the sample and being non-invasive makes tumour markers superior to
other examinations based on physical methods.
TUMOUR MARKERS ARE GENERALLY USED IN
- Screening the high risk population
- Clinical staging of cancer
- Indicator for disease progression
- To evaluate the success of treatment
- To detect the recurrence
- Monitoring response to therapy
COMMONLY USED TUMOUR MARKERS IN WOMEN
- CA – 125: It is a marker for ovarian and endometrial cancer
- CA 15-3: Useful in staging Breast cancer. Also in cancer of pancreas, ovary and
lung.
- CEA: Primarily indicated for Cancer of the colon (large intestine)
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