Tumour markers
What tumour markers can and cannot do
- Tumour-associated, not tumour-specific - almost every marker is raised by benign disease
- *Their value is in monitoring a known cancer, not in finding one*
- The exceptions that genuinely aid diagnosis: AFP/beta-hCG in germ cell tumours, AFP in HCC surveillance, calcitonin in medullary thyroid carcinoma, EBV DNA in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
8 more sections, plus exam facts
Every note and exam fact is free for everyone until 9 November - just sign up.
Sign up free