Tumor Markers

USES. Per the NCI, used in prostate cancer: to help in diagnosis, assess response to treatment and look for recurrence ^[1].

LIMITATIONS. PSA also rises in benign prostatic hyperplasia and inflammation. A marker result is never a diagnosis on its own — it only has meaning in clinical context, and its interpretation belongs to the treating physician.

Sources

1. National Cancer Institute — Tumor Markers in Common Use: cancer.gov ↗

USES. Per the NCI, used in lung cancer: to help in monitoring for recurrence ^[1].

LIMITATIONS. The NCI lists it strictly as a monitoring tool — not as a screening or diagnostic test. A marker result is never a diagnosis on its own — it only has meaning in clinical context, and its interpretation belongs to the treating physician.

Sources

1. National Cancer Institute — Tumor Markers in Common Use: cancer.gov ↗

USES. Per the NCI, used in multiple myeloma and Waldenström macroglobulinaemia: to help diagnose the disease, assess response to treatment and look for recurrence ^[1].

LIMITATIONS. This is a group of assays rather than a single test — the scope of testing is set by the treating physician. A marker result is never a diagnosis on its own — it only has meaning in clinical context, and its interpretation belongs to the treating physician.

Sources

1. National Cancer Institute — Tumor Markers in Common Use: cancer.gov ↗

USES. Per the NCI, used in hepatocellular carcinoma: to monitor the effectiveness of treatment and to detect recurrence ^[1].

LIMITATIONS. The assay is far less widely available in Poland than AFP and does not replace imaging. A marker result is never a diagnosis on its own — it only has meaning in clinical context, and its interpretation belongs to the treating physician.

Sources

1. National Cancer Institute — Tumor Markers in Common Use: cancer.gov ↗

USES. Per the NCI, used in mesothelioma: to monitor progression or recurrence ^[1].

LIMITATIONS. The NCI lists it strictly as a monitoring tool, not as a screening test — including in people with occupational asbestos exposure. A marker result is never a diagnosis on its own — it only has meaning in clinical context, and its interpretation belongs to the treating physician.

Sources

1. National Cancer Institute — Tumor Markers in Common Use: cancer.gov ↗

USES. Per the NCI, used in bladder cancer: to monitor response to treatment ^[1].

LIMITATIONS. The NCI lists it as a monitoring tool, not a screening or diagnostic test; it does not replace cystoscopy. In Poland the assay is rarely listed in commercial test catalogues. A marker result is never a diagnosis on its own — it only has meaning in clinical context, and its interpretation belongs to the treating physician.

Sources

1. National Cancer Institute — Tumor Markers in Common Use: cancer.gov ↗

USES. Per the NCI, used in bladder, kidney and ureter cancers: as surveillance, together with cytology and cystoscopy, in patients already known to have bladder cancer ^[1].

LIMITATIONS. The NCI describes it as part of surveillance carried out TOGETHER with cystoscopy, not as a replacement for it and not as a screening test. In Poland the assay is rarely listed in commercial test catalogues. A marker result is never a diagnosis on its own — it only has meaning in clinical context, and its interpretation belongs to the treating physician.

Sources

1. National Cancer Institute — Tumor Markers in Common Use: cancer.gov ↗

USES. Per the NCI, used in prostate cancer: to determine whether a repeat biopsy is needed after a negative biopsy ^[1].

LIMITATIONS. This is a narrow, tightly defined use — the NCI lists it neither as a screening test nor as a treatment-monitoring tool, and it does not replace PSA. In Poland the assay is rarely listed in commercial test catalogues. A marker result is never a diagnosis on its own — it only has meaning in clinical context, and the decision about a biopsy is made by the specialist physician.

Sources

1. National Cancer Institute — Tumor Markers in Common Use: cancer.gov ↗

USES. Per the NCI, used in gastrin-producing tumour (gastrinoma): to help in diagnosis, to monitor the effectiveness of treatment and to detect recurrence ^[1].

WHERE THIS TUMOUR ARISES

According to the NCI PDQ summary on pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours, a gastrinoma is a tumour that forms in cells that make gastrin; it usually forms in the head of the pancreas and sometimes forms in the small intestine ^[2]. The NCI describes the fasting serum gastrin test as a blood test used in the diagnostic work-up of this diagnosis ^[2].

LIMITATIONS. A marker result is never a diagnosis on its own — it only has meaning in clinical context, and its interpretation belongs to the treating physician. This service does not publish reference ranges and does not interpret levels.

Sources

1. [1] National Cancer Institute — Tumor Markers in Common Use (gastryna: gastrinoma, krew; pomoc w rozpoznaniu, monitorowanie leczenia, wykrywanie nawrotu): cancer.gov ↗
2. [2] National Cancer Institute PDQ — Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors (Islet Cell Tumors) Treatment (gastrinoma powstaje zwykle w głowie trzustki, niekiedy w jelicie cienkim; oznaczenie gastryny na czczo we krwi): cancer.gov ↗

USES. Per the NCI, used in metastatic prostate cancer: to help in diagnosing poorly differentiated carcinomas ^[1].

WHAT IT IS NOT

The NCI lists this assay neither as a screening test nor as a tool for monitoring prostate cancer treatment — in the NCI table that second role belongs to a separate entry, PSA ^[1]. Prostatic acid phosphatase is described there more narrowly: as a marker that helps when the origin of a poorly differentiated carcinoma has to be established.

LIMITATIONS. A marker result is never a diagnosis on its own — it only has meaning in clinical context, and its interpretation belongs to the treating physician. This service does not publish reference ranges and does not interpret levels.

Sources

1. [1] National Cancer Institute — Tumor Markers in Common Use (PAP: rozsiany rak gruczołu krokowego, krew; pomoc w rozpoznawaniu raków o niskim stopniu zróżnicowania): cancer.gov ↗

USES. Per the NCI, used in ovarian cancer: to aid diagnosis, assess response to treatment and evaluate recurrence ^[1].

LIMITATIONS. It can be elevated in many non-cancer conditions (incl. endometriosis, pregnancy, pelvic inflammation). A marker result is never a diagnosis on its own — it only has meaning in clinical context, and its interpretation belongs to the treating physician.

Sources

1. National Cancer Institute — Tumor Markers in Common Use: cancer.gov ↗

USES. Per the NCI, used in ovarian cancer: for treatment planning, assessing disease progression and monitoring recurrence ^[1].

LIMITATIONS. It is not a population screening test. A marker result is never a diagnosis on its own — it only has meaning in clinical context, and its interpretation belongs to the treating physician.

Sources

1. National Cancer Institute — Tumor Markers in Common Use: cancer.gov ↗

USES. Per the NCI, used in colorectal and some other cancers: to monitor whether treatment is working and to look for recurrence ^[1].

LIMITATIONS. Levels can also rise in smokers and in inflammatory conditions. A marker result is never a diagnosis on its own — it only has meaning in clinical context, and its interpretation belongs to the treating physician.

Sources

1. National Cancer Institute — Tumor Markers in Common Use: cancer.gov ↗

USES. Per the NCI, used in pancreatic, gallbladder, bile-duct and gastric cancers: to assess whether treatment is working ^[1].

LIMITATIONS. It can be elevated in benign biliary disease; some people do not produce it at all. A marker result is never a diagnosis on its own — it only has meaning in clinical context, and its interpretation belongs to the treating physician.

Sources

1. National Cancer Institute — Tumor Markers in Common Use: cancer.gov ↗

USES. Per the NCI, used in liver cancer and germ cell tumors of the ovary and testis: for diagnosis, staging/prognosis assessment and monitoring treatment response ^[1].

LIMITATIONS. Elevated values also occur in liver disease and pregnancy. A marker result is never a diagnosis on its own — it only has meaning in clinical context, and its interpretation belongs to the treating physician.

Sources

1. National Cancer Institute — Tumor Markers in Common Use: cancer.gov ↗

USES. Per the NCI, used in choriocarcinoma and germ cell tumors: to assess stage, prognosis and response to treatment ^[1].

LIMITATIONS. Physiologically elevated in pregnancy. A marker result is never a diagnosis on its own — it only has meaning in clinical context, and its interpretation belongs to the treating physician.

Sources

1. National Cancer Institute — Tumor Markers in Common Use: cancer.gov ↗

USES. Per the NCI, used in breast cancer: to assess whether treatment is working and to look for recurrence or metastasis ^[1].

LIMITATIONS. They are not screening tests and do not diagnose breast cancer on their own. A marker result is never a diagnosis on its own — it only has meaning in clinical context, and its interpretation belongs to the treating physician.

Sources

1. National Cancer Institute — Tumor Markers in Common Use: cancer.gov ↗

USES. Per the NCI, used in medullary thyroid cancer: for diagnosis, monitoring treatment effectiveness and assessing recurrence ^[1].

LIMITATIONS. It concerns the medullary form of thyroid cancer, not all thyroid cancers. A marker result is never a diagnosis on its own — it only has meaning in clinical context, and its interpretation belongs to the treating physician.

Sources

1. National Cancer Institute — Tumor Markers in Common Use: cancer.gov ↗

USES. Per the NCI, used in thyroid cancer: to evaluate response to treatment and look for recurrence ^[1].

LIMITATIONS. Assessment must account for anti-thyroglobulin antibodies, which can distort the measurement. A marker result is never a diagnosis on its own — it only has meaning in clinical context, and its interpretation belongs to the treating physician.

Sources

1. National Cancer Institute — Tumor Markers in Common Use: cancer.gov ↗

USES. Per the NCI, used in neuroendocrine tumors: for diagnosis, response assessment and recurrence evaluation ^[1].

LIMITATIONS. Levels are affected by, among others, acid-suppressing drugs (PPIs). A marker result is never a diagnosis on its own — it only has meaning in clinical context, and its interpretation belongs to the treating physician.

Sources

1. National Cancer Institute — Tumor Markers in Common Use: cancer.gov ↗

USES. Per the NCI, used in small cell lung cancer and neuroblastoma: to help in diagnosis and assess response to treatment ^[1].

LIMITATIONS. It concerns the small-cell form of lung cancer; sample hemolysis falsely raises the result. A marker result is never a diagnosis on its own — it only has meaning in clinical context, and its interpretation belongs to the treating physician.

Sources

1. National Cancer Institute — Tumor Markers in Common Use: cancer.gov ↗

USES. Per the NCI, used in germ cell tumors, lymphoma, leukemia, melanoma and neuroblastoma: to assess stage, prognosis and response to treatment ^[1].

LIMITATIONS. The enzyme is present in many tissues — it also rises with muscle injury, hemolysis and many non-cancer diseases. A marker result is never a diagnosis on its own — it only has meaning in clinical context, and its interpretation belongs to the treating physician.

Sources

1. National Cancer Institute — Tumor Markers in Common Use: cancer.gov ↗

USES. Per the NCI, used in multiple myeloma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia and some lymphomas: to determine prognosis and monitor treatment response ^[1].

LIMITATIONS. Levels also depend on kidney function. A marker result is never a diagnosis on its own — it only has meaning in clinical context, and its interpretation belongs to the treating physician.

Sources

1. National Cancer Institute — Tumor Markers in Common Use: cancer.gov ↗

USES. Per the NCI, used in carcinoid tumors: for diagnosis and disease monitoring ^[1].

LIMITATIONS. Diet (bananas, nuts, avocado among others) and some drugs affect the result — the test requires preparation. A marker result is never a diagnosis on its own — it only has meaning in clinical context, and its interpretation belongs to the treating physician.

Sources

1. National Cancer Institute — Tumor Markers in Common Use: cancer.gov ↗

USES. Measured alongside total PSA in prostate diagnostics; the NCI describes PSA-based tests as aids to diagnosis and monitoring of prostate cancer ^[1].

LIMITATIONS. The free-PSA percentage alone does not settle a diagnosis. A marker result is never a diagnosis on its own — it only has meaning in clinical context, and its interpretation belongs to the treating physician.

Sources

1. National Cancer Institute — Tumor Markers in Common Use: cancer.gov ↗