Female Cancer Marker

Description

1. Alpha Feto Protein (AFP)

• Role: AFP is a glycoprotein normally produced by the fetal liver and yolk sac. It is primarily used to monitor liver cancer but can also be elevated in other cancers.
• Associated Cancers:
  • Liver cancer: AFP is a key marker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
  • Ovarian and testicular cancers: AFP levels can be elevated in yolk sac tumors or germ cell tumors.
  • Lung cancer: Rarely, AFP can be elevated in certain lung cancers.
• Other Conditions: Non-cancerous conditions like cirrhosis or hepatitis can also raise AFP levels.

2. Beta Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (Beta HCG)

• Role: HCG is a hormone typically produced during pregnancy by the placenta. Elevated levels in non-pregnant women may suggest certain types of cancers.
• Associated Cancers:
  • Gestational trophoblastic disease: HCG is commonly elevated in diseases like hydatidiform mole and choriocarcinoma, both associated with abnormal growth of placental tissue.
  • Ovarian cancer: Some ovarian germ cell tumors, particularly those that secrete HCG, can cause elevated levels.
  • Testicular cancer: It is often used to monitor testicular cancer, especially seminomas.

3. CA-125 (Cancer Antigen 125)

• Role: CA-125 is a glycoprotein that is often elevated in women with ovarian cancer. However, it can also be elevated in various benign and malignant conditions.
• Associated Cancers:
  • Ovarian cancer: CA-125 is primarily used to monitor ovarian cancer treatment and recurrence.
  • Endometrial, fallopian tube, and peritoneal cancers: CA-125 can be elevated in these cancers as well.
• Other Conditions: Benign conditions like endometriosis, fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease, and liver cirrhosis can also cause an increase in CA-125.

4. CA 15-3 (Cancer Antigen 15-3)

• Role: CA 15-3 is a tumor marker primarily associated with breast cancer. It is often used in monitoring treatment efficacy and detecting recurrence of breast cancer.
• Associated Cancers:
  • Breast cancer: Most commonly elevated in patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer.
  • Other Cancers: Can also be elevated in cancers such as lung, ovarian, and liver cancers.
• Other Conditions: Benign conditions like benign breast disease, liver disease, and endometriosis may cause mildly elevated CA 15-3 levels.

5. CA 19-9 (Cancer Antigen 19-9)

• Role: CA 19-9 is a carbohydrate antigen that is most useful in detecting pancreatic cancer but can also be elevated in other types of cancer.
• Associated Cancers:
  • Pancreatic cancer: CA 19-9 is particularly useful for monitoring pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
  • Colorectal cancer: CA 19-9 may be elevated in colorectal cancer.
  • Stomach, bile duct, and liver cancers: Can also be elevated in these cancers.
• Other Conditions: Non-cancerous conditions such as pancreatitis, cirrhosis, or benign bile duct obstruction can also cause an increase in CA 19-9 levels.

6. Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA)

• Role: CEA is a glycoprotein normally produced during fetal development. It can be elevated in various cancers, particularly gastrointestinal cancers, but is not specific to one type of cancer.
• Associated Cancers:
  • Colorectal cancer: CEA is most commonly used to monitor colorectal cancer, both for detection of recurrence and response to treatment.
  • Breast, lung, pancreatic, and gastric cancers: CEA can also be elevated in these cancers.
  • Other Cancers: It is used to detect or monitor cancers of the liver, rectum, and ovary as well.
• Other Conditions: CEA can be elevated in non-cancerous conditions like liver cirrhosis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and smoking.

Summary of Utility:

• Cancer Detection: These markers are generally not used as standalone diagnostic tools but are part of a broader diagnostic process. A combination of imaging studies, biopsies, and clinical findings are needed for definitive cancer diagnosis.
• Monitoring Treatment and Recurrence: These markers are primarily used to monitor treatment progress and detect cancer recurrence in individuals already diagnosed with cancer.
• Limitations: Elevated levels of these markers do not necessarily indicate cancer. Non-cancerous conditions can also cause an increase, and not all cancers will cause an elevation of these markers.