One of the most priority areas in medicine is oncology, since recently, unfortunately, cases of detection of malignant tumors have increased significantly. For early differential diagnosis of cancer, an analysis is recommended for oncomarkers - that this is not known to all patients, so often this study is conducted uncontrolled, and its results are not informative. But if you do it correctly, you can avoid the growth and progression of various tumors, and evaluate the effectiveness of therapy.
What does the blood test show for specific oncomarkers?
Any malignant neoplasm in the body secretes special types of protein compounds called oncomarkers. Each tumor has its own specific cells, which make it possible to distinguish it from other types of cancer and to conduct early differential diagnosis.
It is worth noting that the general analysis for oncomarkers includes several varieties of proteins:
- CA 19-9;
- B-2-MG;
- REA;
- AFP;
- CA 72-4;
- HCG;
- CA 125;
- PSA;
- NCE;
- CA 15-3;
- UBC;
- cPCA.
Each of these groups is suitable for identifying specific types of localization and the nature of the tumor. Therefore, an experienced doctor never appoints a study of all oncomarkers. For diagnosis, there are enough from 1 to 3 types of protein compounds.
At the same time, the analysis under consideration, along with the advantages, has a number of shortcomings:
- There are quite a few diseases that are not related to oncology, which provoke excess of normal values of oncomarkers.
- The absence of proteins in the blood does not yet indicate that there is no tumor in the body.
- The results of the study are too dependent on the functioning of the liver and kidneys.
- Oncomarkers are specific only for a certain type of tissue, not an organ. Therefore, the same indicator can relate to neoplasms in different parts of the body.
- It is important to constantly check the concentration of proteins in the same laboratory, preferably on the same equipment.
In view of the above factors, this study is supplemented by other diagnostic methods - radiography, MRI, ultrasound.
How to pass the analysis on oncomarkers?
As a rule, venous blood is required for analysis. It is taken on an empty stomach, not earlier than 8 hours after eating.
Sometimes onocomarkers examine urine. The liquid also surrenders in the morning, before breakfast.
Norms of venous blood analysis for main tumor markers
Even in an absolutely healthy person, protein compounds of the type described are present in the body. Therefore, for each of them the boundary values are set:
- CA 19-9 - no more than 30 IU / ml;
- REA - from 0 to 5 ng / ml;
- CA 242 - not above 30 IU / ml;
- AFP - up to 5 IU / ml;
- CA 72-4 - no more than 4 IU / ml;
- HCG - does not exceed 5 IU / l;
- CA 125 - 0 to 30 IU / ml;
- PSA - 0 to 4 IU / ml;
- B-2-MG - from 660 to 2740 ng / ml;
- NCE - 0 to 15 ng / ml;
- CA 15-3 - 0 to 22 IU / ml;
- UBC - from 0 to 15 ng / ml.
For CSA, analysis is necessary only if the PSA level exceeds 4 IU / ml. In such cases, the percentage of CSA to PSA is calculated.
Interpretation of results of analyzes on the considered oncomarkers
As already mentioned, each type of protein corresponds to certain types of tumors:
- PSA and cpsA - prostate cancer;
- CA 19-9 - pancreatic cancer ;
- CEA - cancer of the stomach, lungs, rectum, colon. Also indicates tumors of the lacteal, thyroid, pancreas, ovaries;
- CA 242 - cancer of the rectum and large intestine, pancreas;
- AFP - liver cancer;
- CA 72-4 - cancer of the stomach, ovary;
- HCG - ovarian cancer, trophoblastic tumor, testicular cancer, placental chorion carcinoma;
- CA 125 - ovarian cancer;
- B-2-MG - B-cell lymphocytic leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma ;
- NSE - cancer of the lungs, thyroid, pancreas, neuroblastoma, pheochromocytoma;
- CA 15-3 - breast cancer, gall bladder;
- UBC is a bladder cancer.