16 Questions
What are tumor markers?
Biochemical substances synthesized and released by cancer cells or produced in response to cancerous substances.
What are the properties of a good tumor marker?
- Present in or produced by the tumor itself. 2. Not present in healthy tissues. 3. Plasma level at a minimum in healthy subjects and benign conditions. 4. Specific for a tissue. 5. Plasma level in proportion to tumor size and activity. 6. Half life not very long. 7. Present in plasma at a detectable level even with a very small tumor size. 8. Useful for predicting the presence and recurrence of the tumor.
How are tumor markers classified based on the type of molecule?
Tumor markers can be classified based on the type of molecule they are composed of.
Why is it important for a tumor marker to have different immunological properties when synthesized in other tissues?
To ensure that the tumor marker is specific to the tissue it is associated with, and to avoid cross-reactivity with other tissues.
Where may a tumor marker be present?
Tumor markers may be present in blood circulation, body cavity fluids, cell membranes, cell cytoplasm, and DNA.
What is the significance of the plasma level of a tumor marker being in proportion to the size and activity of the tumor?
It indicates the potential use of the tumor marker for monitoring tumor growth and activity.
What are the different types of markers used for cancer diagnosis?
Enzymes, hormones, oncofetal antigens, carbohydrate epitopes recognized by monoclonal antibodies, receptors, genetic changes
Why is it challenging to use tumor markers for screening in asymptomatic individuals in the general population?
Most tumor markers are present in normal, benign, and cancer tissues and are not specific enough to be used for screening cancer.
What is the significance of the plasma level of tumor markers in relation to the size and activity of the tumor?
Some tumor markers have a plasma level in proportion to the size of the tumor, while others have a plasma level in proportion to the activity of the tumor. The clinical staging of cancer is aided by quantitation of the marker.
What is the potential prognostic value of the serum level of tumor markers at the time of diagnosis?
The level of the marker at the time of diagnosis may be used as a prognostic indicator for disease progression and patient survival.
How can the marker value be used to assess the success of initial treatment, such as surgery?
After successful initial treatment, such as surgery, the marker value should decrease. The rate of the decrease can be predicted by using the half-life of the marker.
What does the magnitude of marker reduction indicate in the context of cancer treatment?
The magnitude of marker reduction may reflect the degree of success of the treatment, and most tumor marker values correlate with the effectiveness of treatment.
What happens to tumor marker values in the case of cancer recurrence?
In the case of recurrence of cancer, the marker increases again.
What are some examples of enzymes used as tumor markers and the cancers they are associated with?
Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) is associated with primary or secondary liver cancer, and Prostatic Acid Phosphatase (PAP) is used for staging prostate cancer and for monitoring therapy.
What is the clinical significance of Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) in cancer diagnosis?
PSA is much more specific for screening or for the early detection of cancer.
What is the role of Placental ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) in cancer diagnosis?
Placental ALP elevates in various malignancies, including ovarian, lung, gastrointestinal cancers, and Hodgkin’s disease.
Test your knowledge about tumor markers, which are biochemical substances released by cancer cells or produced in response to cancerous substances. This quiz covers the definition, identification, and characteristics of tumor markers.
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