Tumor Markers as a Tool in Detection

The detection of cancer is the crucial first step to its treatment, with the chronology of detection often having a significant bearing on the patient's capacity for survival. Detection is facilitated by what the Huether and McCance text (2008) refers to as tumor markers. These are physiological indicators in any number of bodily systems which may be used to identify both the presence and the type of cancer which may be in a body. Tumor markers may take the form of heightened levels of antigen, abnormal proteins in the bloodstream or other substances which point directly to the interruption of normal organ and system processes.

Tumor markers may be found in the blood, urine or in specific tissue sites and will be used in the process of oncology to make determinations about the presence or absence of a cancerous condition. It should here be noted that the presence of tumor markers will not always necessitate that cancer is present, but will provide useful pathways to making a certain diagnosis either to this end or to the end of treating some other form of illness.

The Huether & McCance text describes tumor markers as being divided into two primary categories. Cancer-specific markers are demonstrative of the definitive presence of cancerous tissues. For instance, when Carcinoembryonic antigens appear in the bloodstream, the physician will understand the implication that some lung or breast tissue has been invaded by cancerous cells. Tissue-specific markers are those which, while not certainly indicating cancer, are used to direct follow-up tests and treatments relating to specific tissue areas. In such cases, while the specific tissue areas may not be cancerous, their altered process may help to identify the presence or absence of cancer elsewhere.

Works Cited

Huether, S.E. And McCane, K.L. (2008). Understanding pathophysiology, 4th ed. St. louis: Mosby.