Types of digestive tract tumor markers

Tumor markers of the digestive tract refer to substances produced and released by tumor cells, mainly hormones, enzymes, or antigen-like metabolic substances. By examining these tumor markers, we can discover some primary tumors and screen some high-risk groups for tumors. This has a relatively high clinical significance. There are many types of digestive tract tumor markers, such as alpha-fetoprotein, carcinoembryonic antigen, etc.

Types of digestive tract tumor markers

1. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) (1) In 80% of primary liver cancer patients, AFP>400ng/ml, and nearly 20% of patients have normal AFP. AFP may show abnormalities 6 to 12 months earlier than imaging, providing an important basis for the early diagnosis of liver cancer. It is recommended that patients with cirrhosis have their AFP checked regularly. (2) In most cases of viral hepatitis and cirrhosis, AFP is < 400ng/ml. (3) AFP may be elevated in patients with endodermal carcinoma, teratoma, testicular cancer, ovarian cancer, gastric cancer, etc. with liver metastasis. (4) AFP begins to rise three months into a woman's pregnancy, reaches a peak at 7-8 months, is generally below 400 ng/ml, and returns to normal three weeks after delivery. If AFP rises abnormally during pregnancy, it is necessary to rule out the possibility of fetal neural tube defects and malformations.

2. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) (1) Elevated CEA is mainly seen in colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine and cervical cancer, urinary system tumors, etc. Other malignant tumors also have varying degrees of positive rates. (2) CEA levels may be elevated in benign diseases such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, emphysema, intestinal diverticula, rectal polyps, and colitis. (3) The more advanced the cancer is, the higher the CEA level and the higher the positive rate. Adenocarcinoma is sensitive, followed by squamous cell carcinoma and poorly differentiated cancer. The higher the degree of differentiation, the higher the positive rate. (4) CEA levels are elevated in normal smokers. (5) CEA levels are often elevated in the chest, ascites, digestive fluids, and secretions of cancer patients. 3. Carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) (1) Serum CA125 is elevated in ovarian cancer, with a positive rate of 61.4%. CA125 decreases when treatment is effective. CA125 increases before symptoms occur in the event of recurrence. CA125 is a good indicator for judging efficacy and recurrence. (2) Other non-ovarian malignant tumors also have a certain positive rate: such as cervical cancer, uterine body cancer, endometrial cancer 43%, pancreatic cancer 50%, lung cancer 41%, gastric cancer 47%, colorectal cancer 34%, and breast cancer 40%. (3) Other non-malignant tumors also have varying degrees of increase, but the positive rate is lower: such as endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, ovarian cysts, pancreatitis, hepatitis, cirrhosis, etc. (4) Elevated CA125 levels are found in many benign and malignant pleural and peritoneal effusions. (5) CA125 may also be elevated in early pregnancy.

4. Carbohydrate antigen 15-3 (CA15-3) (1) CA15-3 is elevated in breast cancer patients, with a sensitivity of 60% in the early stage of breast cancer and 80% in the late stage of breast cancer. (2) Other malignant tumors also have a certain positive rate: such as lung cancer, colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, primary liver cancer, etc. (3) For non-malignant tumor diseases such as liver, gastrointestinal tract, lung, breast, and ovary, the positive rate is generally <10%. 5. Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) (1) In pancreatic cancer, gallbladder cancer, and bile duct ampullary cancer, CA19-9 levels are significantly elevated, especially in the late stage of pancreatic cancer, where the positive rate can reach 75%. It is an important auxiliary diagnostic indicator, but its value for early diagnosis is not great. (2) The positive rate for gastric cancer is 50%, the positive rate for colorectal cancer is 60%, and the positive rate for liver cancer is 65%. (3) Other malignant tumors also have a certain positive rate: such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer, lung cancer, etc. (4) CA19-9 also increases to varying degrees in certain gastrointestinal inflammations, such as acute pancreatitis, cholecystitis, cholestatic cholangitis, hepatitis, and cirrhosis. 6. Carbohydrate antigen 72-4 (CA72-4) (1) The positive rate of gastric cancer is 65-70%, and it is higher in those with metastasis. (2) Colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer also have a certain positive rate.

<<: What organs does the upper digestive tract include?

>>: What can upper gastrointestinal tract barium meal detect?