Medical Terminology: Tumor Markers

1. What are Tumor Markers?
A tumor is an uncontrollable growth of cells that may be malignant (cancerous) or benign (noncancerous). Blood tests are performed to detect the presence of tumor markers. A tumor marker is a substance, usually a protein, produced either by tumor cells or other cells in response to the presence of the tumor.
The presence of a tumor marker does not mean that the patient has cancer. Conditions other than cancer can also generate a tumor marker. Likewise, the absence of a tumor marker does not mean that the patient is cancer free, because many times early stages of cancer do not produce a tumor marker.
In addition to tumor markers, a patient’s blood can also be tested for cancer genomics. Cancer genomics are mutations of specific genes, which are called risk markers. A risk marker indicates that a patient has a higher than normal risk for developing cancer, although there is not yet a sign of cancer. Conversely, the presence of the tumor marker indicates the possibility that a tumor is present.

2. Cancer Antigen 125. (CA-125) Test
The cancer antigen 125. (CA-125) test is used to screen for ovarian cancer and other types of cancer. It is also used to assess the effectiveness of cancer treatment.

Understanding the Cancer Antigen 125. Test
Cancer antigen 125. is a protein attached to ovarian cancer cells and other cancer cells. The CA-125. test measures the level of CA-125. in the blood.
The CA-125. test is not used to differentiate between a benign or malignant ovarian tumor. The health care provider may order testing of peritoneal fluid and the chest to assess if CA-125. is present.

3. Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) Test
The carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test is used screen for cancer. It is also used to assess the effectiveness of cancer treatment and the success of surgical removal of the cancer.

Understanding the Carcinoembryonic Antigen Test
The carcinoembryonic antigen is a protein present during fetal development that terminates at birth. The CEA is produced in certain types of cancers. The CEA test measures the level of carcinoembryonic antigen in blood.
CEA is not used to screen for early detection of a cancer and is not used to diagnose cancer. Most cancers do not cause high levels of CEA. The health care provider may order tests of peritoneal fluid and cerebrospinal fluid to determine if the cancer metastasized.

4. Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test
The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is used screen for prostate cancer. It is also used to assess the effectiveness of prostate cancer treatment.

Understanding the Prostate-Specific Antigen Test
The prostate gland releases prostate-specific antigen in low amounts. Increased amounts are released with an enlarged prostate gland, prostatitis, prostate cancer, and from injury resulting from a digital rectal exam, cystoscopy, or sexual activity. The PSA test measures the level of prostate-specific antigen in blood. The PSA level can be normal in a patient who has prostate cancer.
The PSA test is performed in conjunction with a digital rectal examination.
- Prostate-Specific Antigen Density (PSAD) Test: This test compares the PSA value with the prostate gland size.
- Prostate-Specific Antigen Velocity Test: This test determines if the PSA has increased over time.
- Complex Prostate-Specific Antigen (cPSA) Test: This test detects prostate cancer.
- Transrectal Ultrasound (TRUS) Test: This test measures the size of the prostate gland.

Basic Questions
Tumor Markers

1. What is a tumor?
A tumor is an uncontrollable growth of cells.

2. What is a malignant tumor?
A malignant tumor is a cancerous tumor.

3. What is a benign tumor?
A benign tumor is a noncancerous tumor.

4. What is a tumor marker?
A tumor marker is a substance, usually a protein, that is produced either by tumor cells or other cells in response to the presence of a tumor.

5. Does the presence of a tumor marker mean that the patient has cancer?
No. Other conditions can also generate a tumor marker.

6. Does the absence of a tumor marker mean that the patient is free from cancer?
No. Many times early stages of cancer do not produce a tumor marker.

7. What are cancer genomics?
Cancer genomics are mutations of specific genes.

8. What is a risk marker?
A risk marker indicates that a patient has a higher than normal risk for developing cancer.

9. Does the patient have cancer if a positive risk marker is present?
No. The risk marker indicates there is a cancer genomics present that increases the risk for cancer but there is no sign of cancer.

10. What is cancer antigen 125. (CA-125)?
CA-125. is a protein attached to the ovarian cancer cells and other cancer cells.

11. What is the purpose of the CA-125. test?
The CA-125. test is used screen for ovarian cancer and other types of cancer. It is also used to assess the effectiveness of cancer treatment.

12. Does the CA-125. test determine if an ovarian tumor is malignant?
The CA-125. test is not used to differentiate between a benign or malignant ovarian tumor.

13. If the CA-125. test is positive, what other testing may a health care provider order?
The health care provider may order testing of peritoneal fluid and the chest to assess if cancer antigen 125. is present.

14. What is the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)?
The CEA is a protein present during fetal development that terminates at birth.

15. What is the purpose of the CEA test?
The CEA test is used to screen for cancer. It is also used to assess the effectiveness of cancer treatment and the success of surgical removal of the cancer.

16. Why is the CEA test not used for diagnosis of cancer?
Most cancers do not cause high levels of the carcinoembryonic antigen.

17. What might the health care provider order to determine if cancer metastasized?
The health care provider may order test of peritoneal fluid and cerebrospinal fluid to determine if the cancer metastasized.

18. What is the purpose of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test?
The PSA test is used screen for prostate cancer. It is also used to assess the effectiveness of prostate cancer treatment.

19. How would you respond if the patient said that his friend’s PSA level was low?
The prostate gland releases PSA in low amounts.

20. How would you respond if the patient said that he has prostate cancer because the PSA level is high?
Increased amounts are released with an enlarged prostate gland, prostatitis, and prostate cancer, and from injury resulting from a digital rectal exam, cystoscopy, or sexual activity.

21. How would you respond if a patient says he does not have prostate cancer because his PSA level is normal?
The PSA level can be normal in a patient who has prostate cancer.

22. Why would a health care provider order a prostate-specific antigen density (PSAD) test?
The health care provider may also order the PSAD test to compare the PSA value to the prostate gland size.

23. Why would be health care provider order a prostate-specific antigen velocity test?
The health care provider would order a prostate-specific antigen velocity test to determine if PSA increases over time.

24. Why would the health care provider order the complex prostate-specific antigen (cPSA) test?
The health care provider would order the cPSA test to detect prostate cancer.

25. Why would the health care provider order the transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) test?
The TRUS test measures the size of the prostate gland.