Tumor Markers

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KEY POINTS

• Tumor markers are substances, such as proteins or hormones, made by your body in response to cancer or other conditions.
• Tumor marker tests may be used to diagnose cancer, to find out if it has spread, or to check how well treatment is working.
• Talk to your healthcare provider about what the test results mean and ask any questions you have.

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What are tumor markers?

Tumor markers are substances, such as proteins or hormones, made by your body in response to cancer or other conditions. Sometimes the cancer tissue produces these substances. Some markers are specific to one cancer, and others are seen with several types of cancer.

How are tumor markers used?

Tumor marker tests may be used to diagnose cancer and to find out if it has spread. Tests can also show how well treatment is working. After you complete treatment, checking tumor markers can show if the cancer comes back.

How are they checked?

Several kinds of tests are used to check samples of blood, urine, or tissue in different parts of your body.

• Urine tests may be used to check for abnormal cells in your bladder or kidney.
• A biopsy is the removal of a small sample of tissue for testing. Biopsies may be used to check for breast, lung, colorectal, or other kinds of cancer.
• Blood tests can find signs of many kinds of cancer.

Are tests accurate?

High levels of certain tumor markers don’t always mean that you have cancer. Cirrhosis, endometriosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and many other conditions can also raise the level of certain markers.

Tumor markers have not been identified for every type of cancer. Also, not everyone with a certain type of cancer will have high levels of the related tumor marker.

Test results are only one part of a larger picture that takes into account your medical history and current health. Sometimes a test needs to be repeated to check the first result. You may also need different tests. Talk to your healthcare provider about your result and ask:

• If you need more tests
• What kind of treatment you might need
• When you need to be tested again
• What lifestyle, diet, or other changes you might need to make

For more information, contact:

• American Cancer Society, Inc.
  800-227-2345
  http://www.cancer.org
• National Cancer Institute
  800-422-6237 (TTY: 800-332-8615)
  https://www.cancer.gov/