Tumor / Cancer Marker Profile Test

The Cancer Marker profile measures the CEA, CA 19.9 and Chromogranin A levels in the blood.

• The test is useful for the initial screening of cancer
• In cancer patients to know the severity of the disease
• To know the stage of cancer as well as the metastasis status
• 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.

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

Chromogranin A

The levels are elevated in gastrinoma, pheochromocytoma, carcinoid tumors, and medullary carcinoma of the thyroid.

In some cases, levels may also be elevated in healthy subjects.

• CEA test
• CA 19.9 test
• Chromogranin A test

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.

Human Chromogranin A is a tumor marker used to differentiate between endocrine and non-endocrine tumors. Chromogranin A is not a diagnostic test for endocrine tumors. It can be elevated in patients with renal failure and in patients of atrophic chronic gastritis.