Tumor Markers - For Cancer Diagnosis and Prognosis - More Tumor Markers

More Tumor Markers

Hormones

Hormones are secreted by some tumors. Some of the examples are insulin being secreted by the tumor of the islet cell and calcitonin by the medullary thyroid carcinoma. In some cases, the hormones are produced by the affected organ, which may not do so in normal circumstances. This type of hormone production is referred to as ‘ectopic’. An example is the case of the hormones ACTH and ADH being produced by lung cancers.

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) is a hormone normally secreted by the syncytiotrophoblastic cells of the placenta and is increasingly produced during pregnancy. It finds an important role as a tumor marker in germ cell tumors and gestational trophoblastic tumors. The volume of the marker directly correlates with the size of the tumor and therefore it plays a great role in predicting the prognosis.

Enzymes

Enzymes too function as tumor markers. These enzymes may be naturally present or may be the result of metabolic changes in the cancer cells.

Acid Phosphatase is an enzyme found in elevated concentrations in the normal prostate gland. However it is also found in large volumes in primary and metastatic cancers of the prostate. The test for acid Phosphatase can sometimes help in detecting prostate disease. It can also help to follow the course of the disease in patients with advanced cancers. However with advent of PSA this test is seldom used.

Neuron Specific Enolase is used as a tumor marker for tumors of the central nervous system and neuroblastomas.

Galactosyl Transferase II is another enzyme that is found to be elevated in a variety of malignancies.

Immunoglobulins

Immunoglobulins are markers which help in deciding the management of Myelomas in primary and metastatic cancers of the prostate. The test for acid Phosphatase can sometimes help in detecting prostate disease. It can also help to follow the course of the disease in patients with advanced cancers.

Genetic Signature Markers

Genetic markers like protein signatures are also used as tumor markers. OVA1 is a 5-protein signature used in Ovarian cancer.

Oncotype Dx (21 Gene signature) and Mammaprint (70 Gene signature) are used to evaluate risk of recurrence in Breast Cancers.