Three tumor markers, as identified by Stanford Health Care, are:
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
- Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)
- CA 125
These markers are substances produced by cancer cells or other cells in the body in response to cancer, and their levels can be measured in blood, urine, or tissue samples. Let's explore each in more detail:
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)
- What is it? PSA is a protein produced by both normal and cancerous cells in the prostate gland.
- Clinical Use: Elevated PSA levels can indicate the presence of prostate cancer, but they can also be elevated due to other conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or prostatitis.
- Monitoring: PSA is primarily used to screen for prostate cancer, to help diagnose it, and to monitor response to treatment.
Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA)
- What is it? CEA is a protein found in the tissues of a developing fetus and is usually present at very low levels in adults.
- Clinical Use: CEA levels can be elevated in cancers, particularly colorectal cancer. It's also used to monitor treatment response and recurrence of the disease.
- Other Conditions: It's important to know that CEA can be elevated in other conditions like certain benign conditions and some smoking related issues.
CA 125
- What is it? CA 125 is a protein found on the surface of many cells and is associated with ovarian cancer.
- Clinical Use: CA 125 is commonly used to monitor the response to treatment for ovarian cancer and to help identify recurrence.
- Considerations: However, this marker is not very specific to ovarian cancer; other conditions like endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and pregnancy can elevate CA 125 levels.
These markers serve as tools that can aid in the detection, diagnosis, and monitoring of various cancers.
