Tumor marker blood tests are laboratory tests that measure substances produced by cancer cells or other cells in response to cancer in the body. These substances can be detected in the blood and are used as indicators of the presence of cancer, the effectiveness of treatment, and the likelihood of cancer recurrence.
There are many different tumor markers that can be measured through blood tests, and each type of cancer may have different markers associated with it. For example, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a marker commonly used to screen for prostate cancer, while carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a marker that can be used to monitor colon and rectal cancer.
It is important to note that a positive tumor marker test result does not always indicate the presence of cancer, as some non-cancerous conditions can also cause elevated levels of these markers. Therefore, tumor marker blood tests are usually used in combination with other diagnostic tests, such as imaging tests and biopsies, to confirm a cancer diagnosis.
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