Question 1 – I am a 44-year-old woman. I go for checkups regularly. In blood tests, CA 15-3 was high. This would be high in breast cancer. Therefore, mammography and breast ultrasound and all other examinations were performed. No malignant condition was observed. But I am nervous. What would your advice be?
Answer 1- CA 15 -3, whose blood level is checked, is one of the substances known as tumor markers in medicine. Unfortunately, more importance has been attached to tumor markers among patients, with the contribution of us physicians. However, no tumor marker other than prostate specific antigen (PSA) used in prostate cancer should not be used for screening purposes in healthy people. Because tumor markers can be elevated not only in cancers, but also in some other benign breast diseases and liver disorders, causing people to experience unnecessary anxiety, wasting time and money. For example, CA 15 – 3 may also be elevated in some benign breast diseases and liver disorders. Once your CA 15 -3 level is checked and it is high, these conditions should be investigated, if no cause can be found, nothing but follow-up should be done.
Substances known as tumor markers in medicine can be released from cancer cells as well as sometimes from normal, healthy cells. Among the most commonly used tumor markers, we can count the following:
CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen): It is mostly elevated in colon cancer. It may increase in some other cancers, including breast cancer, but mild to moderate increases can also be seen in smokers, bronchitis, intestinal diverticulitis, stomach ulcers, benign breast diseases and liver diseases. It should not be used in the diagnosis of colon cancer, but should be used in the evaluation of the response to treatment.
CA- 125: It is most frequently elevated in ovarian cancer in women. It is also increased in other cancers and endometriosis, inflammatory gynecological diseases, ovarian cysts, in the first trimester of pregnancy and liver diseases.
PSA: It is the most sensitive tumor marker used in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. Mild increases may be in prostate inflammation and sometimes benign prostate enlargements. It is used for screening purposes in men over the age of 40. Prostate biopsy is required in those with increased PSA. A decrease in the level in cancer patients indicates that the treatment is good.
Human chorionic gonadotrpin (hCG): It is increased in many cancers containing germ (reproductive, seed) cells, especially male ovarian cancer. It is not specific for germ cell cancer, as it can sometimes be elevated in other cancers.
Alpha feto protein (AFP): This is also elevated in germ cell cancers, especially male ovarian cancer, such as hCG. In addition, an increase is observed in liver cancers called hepatoma.
