Female Cancer Detection Profile Test

The Cancer Marker profile measures the CBC, AFP, CEA, HCG, CA125, CA19.9, CA15.3, Calcitonin, thyroglobulin levels in the blood. It also includes Cervical cancer screening (PAP Smear Reflex HPV-DNA)

• The test is useful for the initial screening of cancer in females
• In cancer diagnosed patients to know the severity of the disease
• Monitor the treatment effectiveness
• To know the relapse status.

• Patients already undergoing treatment for cancer.
• Patients who have completed the treatment to know the disease status.
• Familial history of cancers.
• Presence of high risk factors for cancer.

This test requires a blood sample. A tourniquet (elastic) band is placed tightly on the upper arm. The patient is then asked to make a fist. This helps in the build-up of blood filling the veins. The skin is disinfected before needle insertion and the blood sample is collected in vacutainer.

None.

AFP-Alpha Feto Protein Test (AFP Test)

High AFP levels can be seen in hepatocellular carcinoma, non-seminomatous germ cell tumors and yolk sac tumors of the ovary.

Occasional high AFP is seen in gastric and pancreatic carcinoma, cirrhosis, viral hepatitis, lymphoma, lung cancer

This test should not be used for diagnosis of cancer in isolation, as both false positive and negatives can occur.

CEA test

A gross increase of CEA in a patient with compatible symptoms are suggestive of the presence of cancer. The results of this test when done over an interval help monitor condition of the patient and his response to treatment.

CEA levels fall after successful treatment to normal levels in 1-4 months

Levels may increase in certain non-cancerous conditions like smoking, hepatic disease, trauma, ulcerative colitis, pancreatitis, cirrhosis, COPD, Crohn's disease and hypothyroidism.

Patients should do a follow-up testing preferably through the same laboratory as different assays can give different result values on the same sample

CA 19.9 test

Elevated values occur in cholangiocarcinoma, pancreatic cancer and colon cancer; they may also occur in non-cancerous conditions like cirrhosis, cholestasis and pancreatitis.

In benign conditions the result values are usually below 1000 U/mL.

Patients should do a follow-up testing preferably through the same laboratory as different assays can give different result values on the same sample.

CA 15.3 Test

Increase in values in patients treated for breast cancer are indicative of recurrent disease and indicate additional tests or procedures for work-up.

It may also be elevated in few non-mammary malignancies such as lung, colon, ovary and cervix.

CA 125 test

Levels may increase in certain non-cancerous conditions such as menstruation/ pregnancy/ uterine fibroids/ cirrhosis/ hepatitis/endometriosis/ PID.

Test results may be normal in patients with stage I of ovarian cancer.

CA-125 levels fall after successful treatment but continue to increase if there is progression and poor response to treatment

Thyroglobulin Test

Thyroglobulin levels are increased in papillary carcinoma of thyroid as well as metastatic disease.

Calcitonin Test

Elevated Calcitonin levels may occur due to medullary thyroid carcinoma, C- cell hyperplasia, myeloproliferative disorders, as well as in some other chronic inflammatory conditions. Clinical correlation is important.

CBC test

Abnormalities in certain blood parameters may be seen in cancer patients. This needs to be correlated with the clinical findings as well.

HCG Beta Subunit Serum Test

High levels may occur in ovarian cancer.

False high or low levels may occur due to certain interferences by non-HCg substances.

PAP Smear Reflex HPV-DNA

PAP smear test

Normal or negative result rules out risk for cervical cancer. Next screening may be recommended after 3-5 years depending on your age and clinical history.

In cases of infections and mild abnormal changes, strict vigilance, proper infection control and follow up after 3-5 years is required as changes tend to regress spontaneously.

Major or severe abnormalities have increased risk of cancer progression and require early and timely intervention. Regular Pap smear test thus helps in early diagnosis and better prognosis.

• Cancer Test Female
• CEA test
• CA 19.9 test
• Liver AFP test
• CA 15.3 test
• CA 125 Test
• Thyroglobulin Test
• CBC Leukemia test
• HCG test
• PAP smear

AFP is normally made by a foetal liver and yolk sac. The test is done as part of cancer diagnosis to know the liver or pancreatic involvement due to cancer.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a glycoprotein and its concentration in blood increases in certain tumours i.e., colorectal cancer, medullary thyroid carcinoma, breast, gastrointestinal tract, liver, lung, ovarian, pancreatic and prostatic cancers.

It is often used for monitoring colorectal & gastrointestinal cancer patients and their response to treatment.

CA 19-9 is a modified blood group antigen. The levels of CA 19.9 are useful for diagnosis in patients with pancreatic carcinoma, bile duct carcinomas, gastric carcinomas, colon carcinomas, esophageal carcinomas and hepatocellular carcinoma.

CA 15-3 is a glycoprotein levels of which may be elevated in patients with breast cancer and few cases of carcinomas of ovary, colon, pancreas, lung and non-malignant conditions. This test is done to monitor patients of breast cancer, to know treatment effectiveness in patients undergoing cancer treatment and to monitor the relapse or metastasis status. 

This test is not an effective tool for screening as patients with early stages of breast cancer may be negative for this test.

CA 125 (cancer antigen 125) is a protein expressed in the epithelium lining the body cavity.  Its concentration in blood increases in cancer of ovaries, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts as well as in some cases of endometriosis.

Human chorionic gonadotropin [HCG] is a hormone produced by the placenta mainly during pregnancy. In patients with cancer or undergoing treatment these levels may be helpful in the diagnosis of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD), testicular tumors, ovarian germ cell tumors, teratomas, and, rarely, other human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-secreting tumors.

Thyroglobulin (TG) is a protein formed in thyroid gland and serves as a substrate for synthesis of thyroid hormones. The test may be performed as part of cancer profile work up to know the disease status in cancer patients.

Calcitonin is most effectively produced by the Para-follicular cells of the thyroid gland.

A complete Blood count is performed to detect any abnormalities in the routine blood parameters. The test is a part of cancer work up to detect any blood related abnormalities due to cancers especially leukemias.

Human Papilloma Virus DNA (HPV-DNA) test is performed to detect the absence or presence of HPV infections. PAP smear is a test performed for the detection of cervical cancer in women. It also detects early precancerous changes in the cells and hence with timely intervention progression to cancer can be prevented.