Understanding

Tumor MarkersBy Mahmoud Alaa

Medical Representative Of AlMohandsin

Tumor

Growth of any cell in the body is controlled by a certain gene. If this gene lost his function for a reason or another, this might lead to formation of uncontrollable tumor.

Types Of Tumors

1 -Benign

2-Malignant

Benign Tumor:

It is a type of tumors in which the rate of growth is slow and it does not cause damage for the primary organ or any

spread for the surrounding tissues.

Malignant Tumor

It is a rapid and aggressive growth of the cells of one of the body organs leading to overgrowth and damage of the surrounding tissue. Then these malignant cells can migrate to other organs like lung, liver or even brain, what is called secondary's.

This Is The Difference

Symptoms

Early stages may not show any symptoms. But sometimes patient can notice changes in:

1-colour,number or size of Veins.

2-ulcers which does not respond to treatment

3-unusual secretions

4-unexplainable bleeding

5-Dysphagia

6-swelling under the skin or in the breast

7-resistant diarrhea or constipation

8-untreatable cough accompanied with sputum and/or hematopoesis

EtiologyThere are no known causes but there are some predisposing factors:

1-Food with less fibers or full of lipids Also alcohol.

2-Smoking:can lead to cancer lung, mouth,oesophagus,pancreas or even urinary bladder.

3-Viruses : B, C, HPV, EBV

4-Parasitic Infection

5-Industrial Pollution

6-Exposure To Radiations

7-Pollution, Insecticides………..etc

8-psychological troubles, immunodeficiency, obesity, genetic predisposition

EtiologyThere are no known causes but there are some predisposing factors:

1-Food with less fibers or full of lipids Also alcohol.

2-Smoking:can lead to cancer lung, mouth,oesophagus,pancreas or even urinary bladder.

3-Viruses : B, C, HPV, EBV

4-Parasitic Infection

5-Industrial Pollution

6-Exposure To Radiations

7-Pollution, Insecticides………..etc

8-psychological troubles, immunodeficiency, obesity, genetic predisposition

Incidence In MaleBladder and urinary tract : 31%

Lymphatic system : 11%

Digestive system (GIT) :7%

Incidence In FemaleBreast : 45%

Lymphatic system : 9%

Urinary system :5%

Uses of Tumor Markers:1-Early diagnosis through routine regular checkup

.

2 -definitive diagnosis of some tumors like: LCA-CK-EMA-Desmin-S100

3-to choose suitable treatment .e. g ER-PR-HER-2

4-followup of treatment protocol and its efficacy

5-source of the tumor.

6-Immuological characterization for the lymphatic tumors:

CD30-CD15- Pan T(CD3,CD43,CD45,Ro) – Pan B( CD20,CD79 a)

 

Organ Specific Tumor Markers:

PROSTATE :PSA ,Free PSA ,PAP "Prostatic Acid Phosphates"

BREAST :CA15-3, CEA, MCA, TPA

LIVER :AFP

OVARY :CA125

GIT :CEA, CA19,9

PANCREAS :CA19,9

VASCULAR SYSTEM : LDH, B2 macroglobulin, ptn.electroph.

LUNG :NSE, SCC-A, Cyril 21-1

Factors affecting tumor markers assay:

Smocking : CEA

Pregnancy and viral hepatitis: AFA

Prostatic inflammation &endoscopy:PSA

If not fasting : CA 19.9

WHO recommends tumor markers to be done once every 3 years for people aged(20-30) and once every year for age between(30-50) and once every 6 months for above that.

Thank You

Mahmoud Alaa