The Tumor Marker tests seek for tumour markers, also known as cancer markers. Tumor markers are chemicals that cancer cells or normal cells produce in response to cancer. Some tumour indicators, for example, are proteins that cancer cells produce in greater quantities than normal cells. Changes in the genes and other components of tumour cells can also be tumour indicators.
Certain tumour indicators can be discovered in bodily fluid samples such as blood or urine (pee). Other tumour markers can be discovered in cell samples taken from a tumour during a biopsy.Tumor marker tests are typically done after a cancer diagnosis. The findings of the tests may assist in answering key concerns concerning your cancer, such as:
- How quickly is the cancer spreading?
- What kind of treatment is most likely to be effective?
- Is the treatment truly effective?
- Has cancer returned after treatment?