Oncomarkers are specific molecules that circulate in the blood. They are produced in the human body in response to cancer, as a rule. If their level is elevated, this may indicate a progressive oncological process in the body. Oncomarkers of CA, the decoding of the indicators of which will be given below, are used in the diagnosis of cancer, the detection of metastases. In many cases, they save the patient, helping to identify neoplasms at an early stage of development. The principle of action of tumor markers is to detect tumor cells. With the development of cancer, cancer cells are more active. However, abnormalities do not always mean cancer. This can be an inflammatory process in the body, a disease of the liver or kidneys. For a more accurate diagnosis, doctors use tumor markers CA, CEA simultaneously with other tests, such as biopsies, scans. There are several indicators by which specialists are able to determine the diagnosis and prescribe treatment for the disease.
Why are antigens tested?
Tumor markers are found in the form of enzymes, proteins, hormones and antigens. Different tumors can secrete markers that are different from each other. It happens that a tumor produces several, and sometimes one. For example, marker CA 19.9 indicates cancer in the pancreas and stomach. A blood test also allows you to evaluate the dynamics of the pathology, the effectiveness of therapeutic measures.
Classification
CEA is a protein that is used as a tumor marker for many types of cancer. Often, its presence indicates cancer of the large intestine. Often, the level of CEA increases with oncological pathologies of the mammary glands, the uterus, its neck. The antigen is also detected in the presence of neoplasms in the stomach, lungs, pancreas, gall bladder, liver. That is why CEA is considered a non-specific tumor marker. The level of this antigen can increase with some inflammatory processes, and with benign tumors. Therefore, not always a deviation upward is a mandatory confirmation of oncology. If the concentration of antigen becomes greater in the treatment of malignancy, this means that the development of the tumor continues, and the therapy does not bring results. Other cancer markers of CA can testify to the inefficiency of the measures taken. Decoding of the results is carried out depending on the age and gender of the patient. Tests for these antigens allow, among other things, to identify a relapse of the pathology after therapy.
Cancer pathologies
There are various tumor markers: CA 15-3, the decoding of which reveals the early stages of metastasis, is used for tumors in the mammary gland, 19-9 and others. It should be said that a test for their presence is not an absolutely accurate indicator of the presence of oncology. A blood test is informative, but not the only diagnostic method. The tumor marker test 15-3, the norm of which is 25.0 Units / ml, allows to detect a tumor not only in the mammary gland. A neoplasm can occur in various internal organs. Different tests are used to identify the lesion, assess the activity of cancer cells. For example, the tumor marker CA 15-3 is also elevated in case of malignant processes in the lungs. Therefore, to make a diagnosis only by the results of a laboratory study will be incorrect. What are tumor markers used for? CA 15-3, the decoding of which is important in assessing the effectiveness of treatment, contributes to the selection of the most optimal therapeutic method. In addition, antigens help diagnose benign tumors. Moreover, their level may not change or increase, but in small amounts.
Breast and pancreatic cancer
These are malignant tumors. Breast cancer is formed from its tissue and is characterized by high progression, growth and metastasis. Oncomarkers CA 15-3, 19-9 belong to mucin type glycoproteins. They are determined on the epithelium of secreting cells. By the rate of increase in the level, one can draw a conclusion about the course of the disease and its complications. With metastases and exacerbation of the disease, tumor markers CA 15-3, 19-9 in the growth of their level can be ahead of the upcoming symptoms up to 9 months.
Analysis
The starting material for laboratory testing is blood from a vein. The sample retains its properties at a temperature of +2 ... + 8 Λ for a week. Repeated freezing is not recommended. Experts remind that if the level at which the tumor marker CA 15-3 is located, the norm of which is indicated above, deviates from the standard values, this does not indicate cancer. This gives grounds for a detailed examination.
Causes and forms of cancer in the mammary gland
An oncological disease develops, as a rule, with hormonal disruptions in the body, menopause, decreased ovarian activity, decreased progesterone and estrogen. There are several forms of malignant tumors of the mammary glands:
- Nodal This is a common form. It is distinguished by the presence of a dense nodule with a size of 0.5 cm or more.
- Diffuse.
- Pseudo-inflammatory (mastitis-like).
- Erysipelas.
- Armored.
All these forms are aggressive and grow very quickly. The tumor does not have clear contours. Nodular and diffuse forms are characterized by inflammatory processes, expression of pain in the mammary gland and skin, fever up to 39 degrees, redness of the skin. Therefore, malignant formation of the mammary gland is often mistaken for an ordinary inflammatory process. In the case of a shell-like form, a malignant tumor covers the mammary gland and reduces its size, as if covering it with a βcrustβ.
Symptoms of breast cancer
With an independent examination of the breast, you can notice the involvement of the nipples, a change in their shape and color, the appearance of discharge from the breast, swelling of the mammary glands, a change in the color of the skin on the chest. One of the main signs of the progression of breast cancer is the manifestation of mastopathy. In the initial stage, a small compacted tumor is observed, which is painless in nature. Mobility of the lymph nodes in the armpits may appear. The skin on the chest becomes wrinkled. With the further development of a malignant tumor, at stages 3 and 4, the tumor significantly increases in size. As a result, the mammary gland changes in shape. On the skin, the manifestation of "lemon peel" is possible. Sometimes swelling of the arm occurs. The tumor is able to grow at high speed. It can become twice as large in size from a month to a year. It all depends on the degree of malignancy.
Diagnosis of oncological pathologies
When, when tumor markers CA 15-3, 19-9 and others have a level deviating from standard indicators, additional diagnostic tests are prescribed. For example, with breast cancer, ultrasound of the lymph nodes in the armpits is recommended. This is done in order to check if they have metastases. A chest x-ray and abdominal ultrasound are also recommended for metastasis studies. Oncomarkers CA 15-3, 19-9 and others make it possible to detect proteins in the blood that are produced only by a tumor. Such proteins are not found in a healthy body. The disadvantage of some antigens is that they have low diagnostic value. For example, the tumor marker CA 15-3, the norm of which does not always indicate the absence of pathology, is used mainly in treated women to detect metastases as early as possible.
Rules for preparing for analysis
Blood, as a rule, is recommended to donate in the morning, from 8 to 11 hours. Before this, it is forbidden to eat any food in the last 8 hours before analysis. In the evening, a light dinner without eating fatty foods is allowed. In the case of donating blood for infections and emergency studies, you can take an analysis 4-6 hours after eating. Analysis for gastrin-17, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, lipoprotein, triglycerides should be taken 12-14 hours after eating; glucose tolerance test - after 12-16 hours. A prerequisite is the performance of tests on an empty stomach. During the day before blood donation, it is forbidden to drink alcoholic beverages, drugs, intense physical activity is excluded.
How much is the analysis for tumor marker CA 15-3?
The research price ranges from 800 to 1500 rubles. Detecting cancer at an early stage is very important, since the effectiveness of treatment depends on this. It is known that a malignant tumor detected at an early stage can cure patients in 100% of cases.