In the first place in mortality of patients with various oncological diseases are people with lung cancer. After conducting thorough research, WHO has classified more than 23 types of pathologies associated with lung cancer. Unfortunately, these diseases are rarely diagnosed in the early stages. The reason for this is the asymptomatic course of the disease. That is why most often the first signs of the development of pathology are not given due attention. One of the main causes of cancer is smoking. Among patients diagnosed with lung cancer, 90% were susceptible to this addiction. However, smokers simply ignore a prolonged cough, which is the first symptom of the disease.
What are tumor markers?
Oncomarkers include specific substances that are secreted in the tissues of the body in order to fight oncological pathologies. If during the diagnosis the presence of lung tumor markers was detected, this indicates that a tumor is present in the body.
What are they? Oncomarkers are called special proteins that are present in the human body, which suffers from a disease associated with a malignant tumor. It is tumor cells that produce tumor markers. This happens from the very moment the tumor forms. This makes it possible to detect the presence of pathology at the earliest stages.
Currently, the analysis for the presence of tumor markers is the most reliable way to detect a malignant tumor and evaluate the effectiveness of anti-cancer therapy. Tumor markers provide an opportunity to predict relapse of oncological pathology before they begin to manifest clinically.
Detection of tumor markers for lung cancer helps to detect cancer at the onset. That is, before the clinical signs of the disease begin to manifest. This circumstance helps in preventive measures for examining people in whose environment there are people with cancer.
Types and significance of tumor markers
Each neoplasm distinguishes a tumor marker characteristic only for it. Today, medicine knows more than 200 different proteins. Nevertheless, only 20 of them have diagnostic value.
Most often, the following types of tumor markers are determined:
- Oncomarker CA 15-3. An increase in the concentration of this protein indicates the presence of a cancerous tumor in the mammary gland.
- Oncomarker CA 125. Indicates the presence of ovarian cancer.
- Oncomarker CA 19-9. Its presence is a consequence of a malignant neoplasm, the localization of which is in the pancreas.
- PSA (prostate specific). This antigen makes it possible to detect cancer of the prostate.
- AFP (photoprotein). An increase in its concentration means a malignant neoplasm in the liver.
- REO - an increase in the level of this antigen occurs during a disease of the stomach or lung cancer.
- B2M - increases if there is multiple myeloma in the body, or some types of lymphomas.
- CEA is an antigen released in malignant lesions of the rectum.
- Serum gammaglobulin. Often detected with the development of a tumor in the brain.
Classification of tumor markers
In modern medicine, the following classification of tumor markers exists:
- The main ones are characterized by high specificity and sensitivity.
- Minor - their study is carried out simultaneously with the main tumor markers. Their sensitivity and specificity are low. Nevertheless, in combination with the main tumor markers, they give a more accurate diagnosis. In addition, they are used in the process of detecting relapse.
According to origin they are:
- receptor;
- hormonal;
- oncofetal;
- enzymatic.
The following classification exists:
- According to localization, they are humoral (refer to blood and lymph) and tissue.
- According to chemical characteristics, they can be saccharides, glycolipids, polypeptides, etc.
- According to biological functions, there are hormones, oncofetal antigens, enzymes, receptors, and other compounds.
Markers for lung cancer
Lung cancer is a group of tumor diseases that are of a malignant nature. The development of these neoplasms occurs in the epithelial cells of the lungs and bronchi. They are characterized by atypicality. Medical statistics show a clear trend towards the active spread of lung cancer in various populations. According to statistics, most often men, people living in megacities, and those who are subject to adverse factors (underground work, activities in rooms with a high level of dust) are exposed to this disease. In addition, high-risk smokers, as well as people who have oncological heredity, are at risk.
The detection of lung and bronchial tumor markers in a blood test makes it possible to suspect the occurrence of a malignant tumor, even in the initial stages of the disease. After obtaining the results of this analysis, a specialist can use more informative examination methods to obtain the necessary data: the localization of the process, the size of the neoplasm, the degree of malignancy, the presence of metastases, as well as the stage of the disease.
Currently, medicine has determined which tumor markers for lung cancer should be present in the human body with the development of pathology. The presence of cancerous tumors confirms the presence of the following tumor markers:
- neuron-specific enolase;
- squamous cell carcinoma antigen;
- carcinoma-embryonic antigen;
- cytokeratin;
- tumor marker CA 125.
Reasons for appointment and rules of delivery
The search for tumor markers for lung and bronchial cancer is carried out if the doctor suspects the development of a malignant tumor in the lungs or bronchi. The results of the studies confirm or refute the earlier diagnosis. An analysis of lung oncology is carried out if any unclear neoplasms are found in the bronchi or lungs after radiography and bronchoscopy.
Another indication for this study is to clarify the extent and origin of the malignant neoplasm. It can develop in the airways or be metastases of another tumor of a malignant nature.
A blood test for lung tumor markers should be performed before and after surgery. This is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of the procedure.
There are no special measures for the preparation of a study on lung tumor markers, which should be performed by the patient. The only condition is blood sampling in the morning and on an empty stomach. It is strictly forbidden to drink alcohol 4 days before the examination.
An analysis should not be carried out if a person is sick with an infectious disease, or just suffered it. The result may be incorrect research data.
Fence Procedure
After the attending physician has prescribed a blood test, the patient should go to the laboratory to collect a sample for lung tumor markers. In a control room or in a special room and under sterile conditions, a nurse will take a blood sample with a syringe or a vacuum system. The place of sampling is most often the cubital vein, which is located in the elbow. After that, the biomaterial is sent to the laboratory, and reagent analysis will be carried out there.
Having received the results, the specialist draws conclusions, and, if necessary, appoints an additional examination.
Deciphering the results
The correct interpretation and evaluation of the results obtained can be carried out exclusively by an oncologist. If the content of lung tumor markers in the blood test exceeds the norm, then, most likely, additional examinations will be required.
The following blood marker standards are available:
- neuron-specific enolase - not more than 13.3 ng / ml;
- squamous cell carcinoma antigen - not more than 1.5 ng / ml;
- carcinoma-embryonic antigen - less than 37 U / ml;
- CA 125 - no more than 46 U / ml.
However, the excess indicators of these tumor markers is not necessarily evidence of the development of lung cancer. This can occur with other cancer pathologies or acute and chronic inflammation.
Doctors preventative advice
If a person is healthy, there are no cancer patients among his blood relatives, then starting at age 40, he will only have to take the main tumor markers once every one and a half to two years in order to detect cancer in the early stages. Men should be given the following tumor markers: CEA, PSA and CA 242 analyzes. Women should be tested with CEA, CA 15-3 and CA 242.