What can you learn from a Tumour Markers test, for men?
In men, common tumor markers used to help diagnose and monitor various cancers include PSA (for prostate), AFP, hCG, and LDH (for testicular cancer), CEA (for colorectal and other cancers), and CA19-9 (for pancreatic and other cancers).
This test includes 6 Biomarkers: Total PSA (Prostate), Free PSA, Free: Total Ratio (PSA), CA 19-9, CEA, AFP
Total PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen): PSA is a protein primarily produced by prostate cells, and measuring its level in the blood can help indicate the presence of prostate issues. Elevated PSA levels may suggest prostate infections (prostatitis), benign prostate enlargement, or prostate cancer. PSA exists in two forms: free PSA (unbound) and complexed PSA (bound to other blood proteins). Free PSA is measured to determine the percentage of PSA not bound to proteins, offering additional insight into prostate health.
Free PSA: This test measures the proportion of PSA in the blood that is not bound to proteins. It is often used in conjunction with the Total PSA test to provide more detailed information about prostate health and cancer risk.
Free: Total PSA Ratio: This ratio compares the levels of free PSA to the total PSA in the blood. A lower ratio can be indicative of a higher risk of prostate cancer, whereas a higher ratio may suggest a benign prostate condition.
CA 19-9 (Cancer Antigen 19-9): CA 19-9 is a protein found on the surface of certain cells, and although it does not cause cancer, it is produced by tumour cells, making it useful as a cancer marker. Elevated CA 19-9 is commonly seen in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, but it can also rise in other cancers like bowel, lung, and gallbladder cancer, as well as in benign conditions such as gallstones, pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, and liver disease. Elevated levels do not necessarily indicate pancreatic cancer, as small amounts may be present in healthy individuals.
CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen): CEA is a protein not typically found in the blood of healthy people. However, its presence can be a sign of certain cancers, although it does not specify the type. CEA is commonly used to monitor cancers of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, such as colorectal cancer, and may also be elevated in cancers like ovarian and breast cancers. Additionally, CEA can rise in non-cancerous conditions such as liver disease and inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
AFP (Alpha-fetoprotein): AFP is a protein usually produced by the developing foetus, but it can also be produced by some liver tumours. Elevated AFP levels are commonly found in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (a type of liver cancer) and can also be elevated in some cases of testicular cancer.
These biomarkers are helpful for monitoring and diagnosing various cancers and liver diseases, though elevated levels do not always indicate the presence of cancer and can be seen in other conditions as well.
