Ovarian tumor markers What we need to know

Tumor markers or biomarkers are substances that are synthesized by the body in response to tumor cells or the tumor process. Therefore, their determination is used to diagnose cancer.

Elevated levels of ovarian tumor markers may indicate ovarian cancer, although the determination of tumor markers alone is not sufficient to make the diagnostics. In a number of non-cancerous conditions, the markers are likely to be elevated. In addition, some of the patients with ovarian cancer have normal markers.

Tumor markers are used for conditions such as:

Diagnosing cancer

Diagnose the next solution

Selection of treatment strategy

Evaluation of treatment effectiveness

Relapse risk assessment

Ovarian tumors are associated with uncontrolled cell growth. Tumor cells produce proteins that are specific for tumor processes and are used as tumor markers to assess the course of the disease, relapse or progression.

It is believed that tumor markers may be elevated in healthy people in the absence of cancer, so tumor marker thresholds are not used to screen for cancer.

The following markers are used in the diagnostics of ovarian cancer: CEA-carcinoembryonic antigen, CA-125 carbohydrate antigen, HE4 human epididymal protein 4, alpha-fetoprotein, inhibin A and B.

CA-125 

It is a first-line marker of ovarian cancer. Its increase is observed not only in ovarian, but also in other tumors. It is actively used to evaluate the effect of treatment and the probability of relapse after chemotherapy.

CA 125 

HE4

Human epididymal protein 4 is a characteristic marker for ovarian epithelial tumors. This marker is associated with endometriosis and Lynch syndrome (hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer).

HE 4 

Markers of tumors arising from germ cells

Some tumors develop from germ cells - sperm and egg. In this type of tumor, the following are considered tumor markers:

Chorionic gonadotropin  Find out more 

alpha-fetoprotein Learn more 

lactate dehydrogenase Learn more 

AC 19-9

It is also a tumor marker. An increase in its index characterizes ovarian clear cell tumor, teratomas and secondary malignant processes. It has also been found in patients with mucinous ovarian cancer. Mucinoma is a rare tumor. CA 19-9 has also been found in pancreatic tumors.

inhibin A და B

Hormones of the reproductive system that are involved in the development of oocytes (ovum precursor cells). In women, inhibins are produced mainly by the granulosa cells of the ovary. During pregnancy - placenta. Their amounts are different in different phases of the ovary. Inhibin A levels are low in the early follicular phase, increase during ovulation, and reach a maximum in the midluteal phase. Inhibin B, on the contrary, is high in the follicular phase and then decreases.

Inhibin A 

Inhibin B 

CEA Carcinoembryonic antigen

A specific blood protein. Its concentration is high at birth and decreases with age. An increase in its indicators is usually associated with cancer.

CEA 

Interpretation of results

As we mentioned, the determination of tumor markers is an important diagnostic criterion, although an increase in the level of markers does not always mean a tumor. That is why tumor markers are not useful for cancer screening. In the case of various tumors or suspicion of a tumor, it is necessary to study a number of markers, together with instrumental-visualization methods, such as the pelvis:

Transvaginal ultrasound examination

Computed tomography

Magnetic resonance imaging

X-ray

Biopsy – It is a necessary procedure for diagnosing a specific type of tumor.

Ovarian tumors

Depending on the tissue of the ovary, several types of ovarian tumors are distinguished:

Epithelial tumors - Epithelial, formed from the tissue of the outer covering membrane. It is most common in young people with ovarian cancer. 85-90% of ovarian tumors are epithelial.

Tumors arising from stromal cells - It accounts for 1% of ovarian tumors. The stroma is the cells of the ovarian structure that produce estrogen and progesterone.

Germ cell tumors – It is a tumor of egg-producing cells. It occupies 2% among ovarian tumors.

Symptoms

Bloating

A feeling of fullness in the stomach

Changes in bladder activity

nausea

weight loss

Weakness

Pain in the back

Pain in the pelvis

When to see a doctor?

In the presence of the above-mentioned symptoms, you should consult a specialist and schedule studies

Synevo" offers diagnostic tests for ovarian tumor markers:

The time for issuing research results is not absolute, it can change taking into account various factors

! If the information you are interested in is not enough, please contact us on the hotline - 0322800111, or write to us on our Facebook page, or info@synevo.ge

Source:

https://www.oncolink.org/cancers/gynecologic/ovarian-cancer/tumor-markers-for-ovarian-cancer

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/ovarian-cancer-tumor-marker#uses

n.manjaparashvili@synevo.ge