3: Tumor Markers

solid mass or tumor

neoplasm

growth factors & cancer-causing genes

oncogenes

What do oncogenes do?

• inhibit cell death

• inhibit tumor suppressor genes

• inhibit cell cycle regulation genes

AFP

alpha fetoprotein

HCC

hepatocellular carcinoma

In which conditions is AFP elevated?

HCC and germ cell tumors

Which tumor marker is elevated in HCC and germ cell tumors?

AFP

Where does HCC originate and what causes it?

liver; chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis

Which tumor marker is used for monitoring therapy for testicular cancer?

AFP

Which tumor marker in maternal serum indicates risk of neural tube defect or down syndrome?

AFP

Which tumor marker:

• diagnosis and monitoring of pancreatic cancer

• elevated in GI malignancies

  • bile duct cancer

  • colon cancer

CA-19

CA-19

carbohydrate antigen 19

cholangiocarcinoma

bile duct cancer

Which tumor marker:

• ovarian tumors

• Pt response to ovarian cancer therapy

CA-125

CA-125

cancer antigen 125

Which tumor marker:

• colorectal cancer

• lung, breast, and GI tumors

CEA

CEA

carcinoembryonic antigen

Which tumor marker:

• ovarian cancer

• classification of testicular cancer

• gestational trophoblastic diseases

hCG

hCG

human chorionic gonadotropin

Which tumor marker:

• healthy men: low levels

  • free & bound

• total: screen and monitor prostate cancer

• free: lower in Pts with malignancy

PSA

PSA

prostate specific antigen

Which form of PSA is tested to screen and monitor prostate cancer?

total PSA

Which form of PSA is lower in Pts with malignancy?

free PSA