Tumour markers, also known as tumor markers, are to some extent associated with the emergence of tumours, which can be proteins, enzymes or other molecules. The rise in tumor markers may also be caused by non-cancer diseases such as inflammation, infection or other health problems. As a result, the increase in tumor markers needs to be assessed in combination with clinical symptoms, imaging tests and other diagnostic tests.
In some cases, the increase in the levels of tumor markers may be related to the type and stage of cancer. For example, the increase in prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels is usually associated with prostate cancer, while the increase in the embryo antigen (CEA) may be related to colon cancer or other digestive tract cancers. However, these markers are not specific indicators and their rise does not always directly indicate the presence of cancer. Doctors usually use this information as a reference, but do not rely on tumour markers for their own diagnosis. The correct approach is to combine the results of cancer markers with other diagnostic methods to obtain a more comprehensive assessment of the condition. In addition, the level of tumor markers may vary with the treatment process. This is usually a positive signal that treatment may be effective if the level of tumor markers decreases after treatment. On the other hand, if the level of tumor markers continues to rise, there may be a need to adjust treatment programmes or conduct further examinations to understand the development of the condition.
When interpreting the levels of tumor markers, doctors take into account the health history of individuals and family history, as these information may have an important impact on the determination of abnormal increases in tumor markers. For example, certain genetic diseases may increase the risk of specific types of cancer, thus affecting the normal range of tumor markers. In addition, certain pharmaceutical and medical conditions, such as inflammation or infection, may temporarily lead to higher levels of tumor markers. Therefore, doctors carefully analyse these factors to avoid misdiagnosis or over-treatment. In some cases, repeated testing may be required to confirm the clinical significance of changes in tumour marker levels.
In some cases, the increase in tumor markers may be associated with benign diseases, such as increases in the levels of apogee protein due to hepatitis or cirrhosis. As a result, the doctor combines the assessment with clinical symptoms, the results of the visual examination and other laboratory tests. For example, for the screening of prostate cancers, the increase in the levels of the prostate specific antigens (PSAs) may point to prostate problems, but not all increases in PSA levels mean cancer, as a benign prostate increase may also lead to an increase in PSAs. Therefore, depending on the patient ‘ s circumstances, the doctor may recommend a prostate examination to obtain a more accurate diagnosis. In sum, the interpretation of tumor markers is a complex process that requires the expertise and clinical experience of doctors to ensure that patients receive the most appropriate treatment and management.
Doctors also consider the dynamics of tumor markers when interpreting them. If marking levels continue to rise, this may be more clinical than a single increase, suggesting possible tumor growth or recurrence. On the contrary, if the marker level decreases or remains stable, this may indicate that the treatment is effective or the tumor is still in a static state. In addition, doctors assess the specificity of tumor markers, i.e. their ability to indicate specific types of tumors. Some markers may rise in multiple cancers, while others are relatively different from one type of cancer.
Understanding the specificity of the symbol is therefore essential for its proper interpretation. Finally, doctors combine the results of cancer markers with other diagnostic tools, such as live tissue examinations, video-testing, etc., to form a comprehensive diagnostic and treatment plan.
