Cancer pathologies today occupy one of the leading places among dangerous human diseases. A tumor can affect various internal organs and systems. This article will explain how some oncological diseases are diagnosed, what is an analysis of tumor markers (CEA and others).
Colon cancer
This malignant tumor is formed in the mucosa lining the walls of the large intestine. The location of the neoplasm can be different. In many cases, a tumor is found in the rectum, cecum, and sigmoid colon. Among the causes of pathology, it should be noted, first of all, the nature of the diet. As a rule, in patients, flour, fatty, meat dishes prevail in the diet. Moreover, the content of plant foods is very limited. The next reason that provokes colon cancer is a violation of the stool, usually manifested in the form of constipation. This condition also occurs due to errors in nutrition, improper lifestyle (inactivity), emotional overload and other things. Of particular importance are diseases of the colon, including congenital ones. Often cancer develops in people of advanced age.
How is a colon tumor diagnosed?
External signs during a routine examination by a doctor, as a rule, are not noticeable. The tumor can be felt through the wall of the peritoneum with large sizes or in thin patients. Of particular importance in identifying pathologies are various instrumental studies. In particular, an x-ray of the peritoneum. Using modern techniques and a high level of knowledge, specialists are able to detect cancerous lesions even in the absence of pronounced clinical signs. X-ray examination is carried out using a contrast mixture of barium, which is administered with an enema or given orally. With lesions in the distal sections (sigmoid colon), among the necessary diagnostic methods, there is a colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy, during which a visual examination of the intestinal mucosa takes place.
If a tumor is detected, a biopsy is performed, or the collection of biological material. The elimination of metastasis to the liver is carried out by ultrasound. During the examination, laparoscopy is also shown. This study eliminates the generalization of the malignant process. The selection of patients for examination is carried out after evaluating the clinical symptoms, based on a laboratory study of feces for the presence of blood in it. Of particular importance is the analysis of CEA. What is this test?
Cancer-embryonic antigen
The CEA tumor marker is a protein that is used in the diagnosis of many cancer pathologies. Its level indicates the development of a malignant process. In addition, based on the test results, the effectiveness of the treatment is evaluated. The absence of protein in the blood usually indicates a healthy condition of the patient. A study of the CEA content, the norm of which will be indicated below, allows us to detect not only neoplasms in the large intestine. As a rule, several tests are prescribed that allow the most accurate description of the clinical picture. Specialists diagnose tumors in the mammary and pancreas, liver, stomach, cervix, lungs and gall bladder using different tumor markers. CEA, the indicators of which do not always indicate the presence of cancer, refers to non-specific antigens.
CEA tumor marker. Decryption
If a deviation from the generally accepted CEA values is detected - the tumor marker is elevated - then, as a rule, this indicates the presence of a tumor process of a malignant nature in the region of the colon, especially the direct intestine. An increase in concentration occurs also in some inflammatory and benign pathologies, as well as in smokers with "experience." In this regard, the detection of antigen is not a reason for making a final diagnosis. Analysis of CEA may indicate the need for additional research. What are the meanings for men and women?
During the test for CEA tumor marker, its blood content for patients of both sexes is <6.5. The increase in concentration in dynamics (during repeated studies) in patients receiving therapy for malignant processes indicates treatment failure and metastasis (often three to six months before the onset of symptoms) or the development of relapse.
Mammary cancer
This pathology is a malignant tumor, which is characterized by quite aggressive development and the ability to very actively metastasize. For breast cancer, a tumor marker 15-3 (CA) test is performed. In the presence of a malignant process, its concentration increases. Against the background of benign tumors, the antigen content changes slightly upwards or remains at a normal level. In addition, deviations from generally accepted values are observed against the background of lung cancer. The norm of this antigen for women is <25.0.
Causes of Breast Cancer
As a rule, hormonal disorders of the body are a provoking factor. In women, this condition occurs when entering menopause against the background of an active restructuring of steroid regulation. At the same time, activity in the ovaries decreases, and the production of estrogen and progesterone decreases. As a result, the body is in a state of "hormonal crisis."
Symptoms of pathology
Most often, a nodal form of the disease is diagnosed. In this case, a dense nodule with a size of 0.5-5 and more centimeters is detected. The manifestations of the diffuse form of cancer in the mammary gland are extremely aggressive. The pathology develops very quickly, while the tumor does not have clear boundaries, it seems to be "distributed" over the skin and gland. Erysipelas and mastitis-like forms occur against a background of soreness, with an increase in temperature to 39 degrees. The skin in the area of the mammary gland acquires a bright red color.
Necessary studies for suspected breast cancer
There are a minimum of diagnostic measures that are prescribed for patients at risk for malignant pathologies. With confirmed (based on a biopsy and X-ray examination) cancer and if it is suspected, ultrasound of the axillary lymph nodes is prescribed to detect the process of metastasis, an x-ray of the sternum, an ultrasound of the peritoneum (to exclude distant metastases to other organs). The tumor marker test (CEA and other antigens) does not allow to diagnose cancer with accuracy. A laboratory test only indicates the presence of possible disorders in the body. Confirmation of the presence of a malignant process is carried out by conducting additional studies.
Rules for preparing for blood donation
It should be noted that when prescribing the test for CEA tumor marker, however, as well as for a number of other antigens, there are a number of requirements, the fulfillment of which determines the accuracy and reliability of the results. First of all, blood donation is recommended in the morning, from 8 to 11 hours. The study is carried out on an empty stomach. Between him and a meal should be at least eight hours. On the eve of a blood sampling, it is necessary to exclude physical activity, alcohol. The patient should inform the doctor about all medications taken. By agreement with a specialist, the use of drugs before the study should be discontinued. Before blood donation (an hour or two), you must refrain from smoking, do not drink tea, coffee, juice. It is allowed to use still water. 15 minutes before taking the analysis, the patient should rest, calm down.
Conclusion
As mentioned above, tumor markers are substances of protein origin. They are produced by cancer cells. Normally, they should not be in the body. It should be said that laboratory tests for the presence of tumor markers do not allow, as a rule, to make accurate diagnoses. Assessment of the condition by a specialist is carried out on the basis of the results of other measures that make up the examination of the patient. Moreover, some tumor markers, for example CA 15-3, have a small diagnostic value. In this regard, such tests are not used to identify the pathology itself, but to determine the presence or absence of metastasis in the early stages. However, these substances produced by cancer cells are of particular importance for patients receiving treatment for malignant processes. Studying the dynamics of changes in the concentration of tumor markers, the doctor understands how effective certain therapeutic measures are. This allows you to adjust the treatment regimen, choose the most effective drugs and procedures. But only a comprehensive study allows you to avoid diagnostic errors.