Tumor Markers
Tumor markers are substances measured in blood, urine, or tissue that can provide information about cancer. Some are produced by cancer cells; others are produced by normal cells and can also increase in noncancerous conditions. Examples include PSA, CA 125, CEA, AFP, and HE4.
What are tumor marker tests used for?
Depending on the marker and clinical setting, these tests can help:
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Support a diagnosis alongside imaging, biopsy, and other findings.
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Guide treatment selection.
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Monitor response to treatment.
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Look for signs of recurrence or progression.
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Provide information about the likely course of a diagnosed cancer.
Not every marker serves every purpose. A falling level may support a treatment response, while a rising level may prompt further evaluation. Neither change establishes what is happening on its own.
Does an elevated tumor marker mean cancer?
An elevated tumor marker does not automatically mean cancer, and a normal result does not rule it out. Benign conditions can affect results, and some cancers do not produce elevated markers.
Interpretation depends on the specific test, the laboratory’s reference range, previous results, and the reason testing was ordered. During cancer follow-up, changes over time may be more informative than a single measurement.
Can tumor markers be used for cancer screening?
A test used to monitor diagnosed cancer is not automatically suitable for screening people without symptoms. Many circulating tumor markers perform poorly as general screening tests because they can miss cancers or give elevated results in people who do not have cancer.
Some markers have specific screening roles. For example, PSA testing may be considered after an individual discussion of prostate cancer risk, potential benefits, and possible harms. These harms include false-positive results, unnecessary investigations, and finding cancers that would never have caused symptoms.
Use each marker’s individual page to understand its purpose and limitations. Tumor marker testing should complement the appropriate clinical assessment and recommended cancer screening.
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Biomarkers included in this panel:
AFP-L3% (Alpha-Fetoprotein-L3 Percent) is a specialized blood test that measures the percentage of a specific subtype of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in the bloodstream. AFP is a protein normally produced by the liver and yolk sac during fetal development
Learn moreOther names: total AFP, alpha-fetoprotein-L3 Percent Healthy adults should have very low levels of AFP. AFP stands for alpha-fetoprotein. It is a protein made in the liver of a developing baby. AFP levels are usually high when a baby is born, b
Learn moreA CA 125 test may be used to monitor certain cancers during and after treatment. In some cases, a CA 125 test may be used to look for early signs of ovarian cancer in people with a very high risk of the disease.
Learn moreCancer antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3) is used to monitor response to breast cancer treatment and disease recurrence. The reference range of serum CA 15-3 is less than 30 U/mL. The upper limit of the range varies depending on the laboratory and kit used fo
Learn moreA CA 19-9 test measures the amount of a protein called CA 19-9 (cancer antigen 19-9) in a sample of your blood. CA 19-9 is a type of tumor marker. Tumor markers are substances made by cancer cells or by normal cells in response to cancer in your body
Learn moreCA 27.29
The cancer antigen 27.29 test (CA 27.29) is a blood test that measures the levels of glycoprotein produced by the mucin-1 (MUC1) gene. The level of CA 27.29, also known as 27.29, is used as a tumor marker to measure the activity of the disease in
Learn moreCA 72-4
Elevated CA72-4 levels in serum and plasma are seen in the pancreas, gallbladder, colon, cervix, and endometrium carcinomas. CA 72-4, also known as cancer antigen 72-4, is a protein that is commonly found in high levels in the blood of individuals
Learn moreCarcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) is a blood test used primarily to monitor certain cancers — especially colorectal cancer. It is not used to diagnose cancer or screen healthy individuals. Instead, CEA is most useful for tracking treatment respons
Learn moreThe CD19 antigen (aka B-lymphocyte antigen CD19 or Cluster of Differentiation 19) plays an important role in clinical oncology. It’s a protein found on the surface of B-cells, a type of white blood cell.
Learn moreChromogranin A (CgA)
Chromogranin-A (CgA) is an acidic glycoprotein expressed in the secretory granules of most normal and neoplastic neuroendocrine (NE) cell types, where it is released together with peptide hormones and biogenic amines. Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are
Learn moreThe CYFRA 21-1 is well known as tumor maker of lung cancer and is not influenced by environmental factors. CYRFA 21-1 (cytokeratin 19 fragment) has been demonstrated as clinically useful in the prognostication and monitoring of non-small cell lung
Learn moreHuman epididymis protein 4 (HE4) helps monitor epithelial ovarian cancer, particularly when it was elevated before treatment. High or rising HE4 does not prove progression, and normal HE4 does not exclude cancer. Interpret the result with previous me
Learn moreThe Leukemia/Lymphoma/Myeloma Panel by Flow Cytometry is a specialized diagnostic test used in the field of hematology (=the study of blood and blood disorders) to analyze and classify various blood and bone marrow disorders, including: &rar
Learn moreMatrix Metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), also known as gelatinase B, is a critical enzyme in the human body that plays a vital role in remodeling the extracellular matrix, the network of proteins and other substances surrounding cells. It belongs to a lar
Learn moreMMP-9 is a marker of inflammation, tissue remodeling, wound healing, and mobilization of tissue-bound growth factors and cytokines. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role in the progression of tumour cells and the invasion of infl
Learn moreNeuron-specific enolase (NSE) is a key biomarker predominantly found in neurons and neuroendocrine cells, making it highly valuable for clinical diagnostics and monitoring neurological and neuroendocrine disorders. NSE is a glycolytic enzyme that pla
Learn moreTotal Prostate Specific Antigen (TPSA) is a serine protease produced by prostate cells, primarily used as a biomarker for the screening and monitoring of prostate cancer. While elevated TPSA levels can indicate the presence of prostate cancer, they c
Learn moreThe prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test measures the amount of PSA protein in your blood, which is produced by both normal and abnormal cells in the prostate gland. While higher PSA levels can be linked to prostate cancer, they can also result from
Learn moreProstatic Acid Phosphatase (PAP) is an enzyme produced by prostate cells and historically used as a tumor marker for prostate cancer, particularly advanced or metastatic disease. While largely replaced by Prostate-Specific Antigen testing for screeni
Learn morePSA, % Free
Free PSA (% free PSA or PSA, % free) expresses what percentage of your total PSA is circulating unbound. Prostate cancer tends to produce more bound PSA, lowering the free percentage. Benign prostate enlargement (BPH) tends to produce more free PSA,
Learn moreS100
S100 refers to a family of calcium-binding proteins found in various cells throughout the body. In clinical testing, "S100" almost always refers to S100B — the subtype used as a serum biomarker. S100B plays a role in cell growth, d
Learn moreTotal Prostate Specific Antigen (TPSA) is a serine protease produced by prostate cells, primarily used as a biomarker for the screening and monitoring of prostate cancer. While elevated TPSA levels can indicate the presence of prostate cancer, they c
Learn moreTumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha (TNF-α) is a critical biomarker used in medical diagnostics and research, known for its role in regulating inflammation and the immune system. A highly sensitive TNF-α test provides accurate detection of this c
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