What does cancer antigen mean
In the field of medicine, a cancer antigen (Tumor Marker) refers to certain substances produced by tumor cells or the body during tumor occurrence and development, and they can be detected in blood, urine, or tissue. The detection of cancer antigens is of great significance in early screening, diagnosis, efficacy evaluation and prognosis monitoring of cancer. In recent years, with the advancement of medical technology, cancer antigen detection has become one of the important tools for cancer management.
The following is a collection of popular topics and hot topics on cancer antigens across the Internet in the past 10 days:
| Hot Topics | Hot content | Related cancer antigens |
|---|---|---|
| New progress in early cancer screening | Breakthroughs have been made in early detection technologies of multiple cancer types, and combined detection of cancer antigens can improve accuracy | CEA, CA125, AFP, PSA |
| Guidelines for interpreting tumor markers | Experts interpret the clinical significance and limitations of cancer antigen detection results | CA19-9, CA15-3, NSE |
| Artificial intelligence-assisted diagnosis | AI technology helps cancer antigen data analysis and cancer risk assessment | Multiple cancer antigen combinations |
| Discovery of new cancer antigens | Research teams discover new cancer antigens, which may provide new targets for cancer treatment | Unnamed new markers |
Common types of cancer antigens and their clinical significance
There are many types of cancer antigens, and different types of cancer antigens correspond to different types of cancer. Here are several common cancer antigens and their related cancers:
| Cancer antigen name | Related Cancer | Normal reference value |
|---|---|---|
| CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen) | Colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, lung cancer, etc. | ＜5 ng/mL |
| AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) | Liver cancer, germ cell tumor | ＜20 ng/mL |
| CA125 | Ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, etc. | ＜35 U/mL |
| PSA (prostate-specific antigen) | Prostate cancer | ＜4 ng/mL |
| CA19-9 | Pancreatic cancer, biliary cancer, etc. | ＜37 U/mL |
Clinical application of cancer antigen detection
Cancer antigen detection has many clinical application scenarios:
1.Early screening: Certain cancer antigens can be used for cancer screening in high-risk populations, such as PSA for prostate cancer screening.
2.Auxiliary diagnosis: Combined with other test results, elevated cancer antigen levels may indicate the presence of a specific cancer.
3.Efficacy assessment: Changes in cancer antigen levels during treatment can reflect the treatment effect.
4.Prognosis monitoring: Regular detection of cancer antigens after treatment can help detect recurrence or metastasis in the early stage.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cancer Antigen Testing
1.Is it necessary for the elevated cancer to be cancer?
uncertain. Certain benign diseases may also lead to mild elevation of cancer antigens, and comprehensive judgment is required in combination with other examinations.
2.Can cancer be ruled out if cancer antigen is normal?
cannot. Some early cancers may not be accompanied by elevated cancer antigens, and negative results cannot completely rule out cancer.
3.Does cancer antigen testing require an empty stomach?
Most cancer antigen tests do not require special fasting, but the specific requirements must be followed by doctor's instructions.
4.How often is it appropriate to detect cancer antigens?
Healthy people generally do not require routine testing, and high-risk people or cancer patients should undergo regular reviews as prescribed by doctors.
Future trends in cancer antigen research
1.Multiomics joint test: Combining cancer antigen detection with genetic testing, imaging examination, etc. to improve diagnostic accuracy.
2.Liquid biopsy technology: By detecting new markers such as circulating tumor DNA in the blood, earlier cancer discovery is achieved.
3.Individualized dynamic monitoring: Establish an individualized cancer antigen change curve to more accurately evaluate the treatment effect.
4.New Marker Development: Discover more novel cancer antigens with high specificity through proteomics and other technologies.
In short, cancer antigen detection is an important tool for cancer management, but it needs to be used and interpreted reasonably. For the general population, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and regular physical examinations is more important; for cancer patients, cancer antigen testing and follow-up should be carried out under the guidance of a doctor.
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