Tumor Marker Quiz

PSA Screening for Prostate Cancer

• The main issue encountered with PSA screening is the difficulty in distinguishing between benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer, as PSA levels can be elevated in both conditions.
• PSA levels are not specific to prostate cancer, making it challenging to use PSA levels to ensure that a person does not have prostate cancer.

Clinical Usefulness of PSA Screening

• The main clinical usefulness of PSA screening is to identify patients who may have prostate cancer and require further evaluation, such as biopsy.

Limitations of PSA Levels as a Tumor Marker

• The primary limitation of using PSA levels as a tumor marker is its lack of specificity, leading to false-positive results and unnecessary biopsies.
• PSA levels can also be affected by factors such as age, prostate size, and inflammation, which can further limit its usefulness as a tumor marker.

Significance of Tumor Markers

• Only a few tumor markers have stood the test of time, implying that most biomarkers lack the required sensitivity, specificity, and clinical utility to be used in clinical practice.
• The significance of this lies in the need for ongoing research and development of more accurate and reliable tumor markers for effective cancer diagnosis and management.