Tumor marker \u2260 tumor. It is only potential \u201ccall\u201d<\/strong>, not the disease itself.<\/p>\n CA-125<\/strong><\/a> can increase not only with ovarian cancer, but also with menstruation, appendicitis, and cirrhosis.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n PSA (prostate-specific antigen)<\/strong> often increases due to benign prostatic hyperplasia or even after cycling.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n SEA<\/strong> increases in smokers without any oncology.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Reality:<\/strong> In most cases, the cause of the increase is another problem<\/strong>: inflammation, cysts, hypothyroidism, liver damage or even physiological processes.<\/p>\n Reality:<\/strong> There are cancers that are not accompanied by an increase<\/strong> no marker (e.g. early stages of melanoma or brain tumors).<\/p>\n Reality:<\/strong> Tumor markers are auxiliary<\/strong> a tool that does not replace visualization or morphological verification of the diagnosis.<\/p>\n Tumor markers do not diagnose<\/strong>, but:<\/p>\n help assess risk<\/strong>, when a tumor is suspected<\/p>\n<\/li>\n used for observation<\/strong> according to an already established oncopathology<\/p>\n<\/li>\n monitor the effectiveness of treatment<\/strong> (e.g., decreased CA-125 after chemotherapy)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n detect relapses<\/strong> after surgery or radiation therapy<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nFor example:<\/h3>\n
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The most common myths about tumor markers<\/h2>\n
Myth 1. One elevated tumor marker is cancer<\/h3>\n
Myth 2. If tumor markers are normal, I am definitely healthy<\/h3>\n
Myth 3. Tumor markers can replace biopsy or MRI<\/h3>\n
Tumor markers: how doctors use them correctly<\/h2>\n
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Table: tumor markers and their non-oncological causes of elevation<\/h2>\n
![\"table](\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/nurse-blood-draw.webp\")
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