Tumor Markers

Cancers produce novel proteins that can suggest, though not diagnose, a source of the tumor. The original blood tests included CEA, known to occur in many adenocarcinomas including lung, gastrointestinal and breast. CA 27-29 and CA15-3 have been most closely associated with breast cancers. CA 125 is the marker for ovarian as is HE4, a more recently developed test. PSA and prostatic acid phosphatase are used in prostate cancer. CA 19-9 is associated with pancreatic cancer. Germ cell tumors can produce B-HCG and AFP. AFP is also associated with hepatocellular cancer. Despite all of this, some tumors express no markers while other tumors express markers not generally associated with that disease type. This is part of the reason why markers are not promoted for general use at academic centers. Cancers produce novel proteins that can suggest, though not diagnose, a source of the tumor. The original blood tests included CEA, known to occur in many adenocarcinomas including lung, gastrointestinal and breast. CA 27-29 and CA15-3 have been most closely associated with breast cancers. CA 125 is the marker for ovarian as is HE4, a more recently developed test. PSA and prostatic acid phosphatase are used in prostate cancer. CA 19-9 is associated with pancreatic cancer. Germ cell tumors can produce B-HCG and AFP. AFP is also associated with hepatocellular cancer. Despite all of this, some tumors express no markers while other tumors express markers not generally associated with that disease type. This is part of the reason why markers are not promoted for general use at academic centers.