mesothelioma markers

There are a number of different methods used to diagnose various cancers. Review of levels of certain tumor markers is one such method diagnostics that can be used to diagnose mesothelioma.

What is a tumor marker?

Tumor markers are best described as substances produced by tumor cells (or cells sometimes other) in the body in response to certain conditions not cancerous and noncancerous. They are usually found in blood, urine or tissues of patients. Use of tumor markers for cancer diagnosis can be difficult because the levels of tumor markers are not altered in all cancer patients. Even the same tumor marker levels may be altered in more than one type of cancer. Some of these substances can also be found at high levels when other non-cancerous diseases are present.

What are the tumor markers available for?

1 – Detection Early

Tumor markers are a good starting point in the detection of cancer. While a high level of a particular tumor marker does not necessarily indicate The definitive presence of cancer, it does indicate the need for further testing. Additional tests may include a biopsy, CT scan, or MRI.

2 – Monitoring treatment response

Besides being used for the diagnosis of cancer, tumor markers can also be measure to determine how a patient is responding to treatment. Marker levels are often measured before starting treatment to determine a course of action correct when dealing with cancer. The more levels of tumor markers can be used to determine whether a patient has suffered a recurrence of his cancer.

3-Review for mesothelioma

This is a process during which cancer can be detected before symptoms are evident. Many researchers believe that the markers tumors are not sensitive enough to be used for screening, however, a tumor marker, prostate specific antigen (PSA), has been used in the detection of prostate cancer among men for several years and has proved very successful. However, an elevated PSA level does not necessarily indicate cancer, but does indicate the need for further testing.

Tumor marker used to diagnose mesothelioma

A recent test approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is used to detect mesothelioma among individuals at risk for the disease. Since the symptoms of mesothelioma are not surface until after a long latency period, this new test, called Mesomark blood test could make the difference between life and death from mesothelioma patients.

Mesomark measures the amount of soluble mesothelin-related peptides (SMRP) in human serum. SMRP is a tumor marker that is produced by cells mesothelioma. This tumor marker may be elevated in patients with mesothelioma, even at the early stages of the disease.

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Bello kamorudeen.For complete information on the diagnosis of mesothelioma go to http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

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