Tumor Marker Tests
Reviewed
Also called: Cancer markers, Tumour markers
These tests look for tumor markers, which are sometimes called cancer markers.
Specimen: Blood, urine, or tissue (biopsy)
Why this test may be ordered
- To help stage cancer (determine if it has spread)
- To predict how fast cancer may grow and chance of recovery
- To select the right treatment for your type of cancer
- To monitor how well treatment is working
- To find any cancer that remains or comes back after treatment
Preparation and collection
For a blood or urine test: You usually don't need any special preparations. For a biopsy: You may need to fast (not eat or drink) for several hours before the procedure.
Blood tests are the most common type of tumor marker tests. However, urine tests or biopsies are also frequently used to check for tumor markers.
There is very little risk to having a blood test. There is no risk to a urine test. You may have a little bruising or bleeding at the biopsy site.
Understanding results
Your results will vary depending on the kind of tumor marker your provider tested for. Some tumor markers are linked with only one type of cancer. Others are linked to many different types.
- Tumor marker levels going down during treatment: If tumor marker levels go down, it usually means your treatment is helping. Limitation: Not all cancers have known tumor markers, and the tumor markers that are known don't always provide accurate information. Next step: Your provider will review your tumor marker test results along with other information about your condition.
- High tumor marker level: If you have a high level of tumor markers, it only means that you're more likely to have cancer. Limitation: Some conditions that aren't cancer may also cause high levels of certain tumor markers. Tumor marker tests can't tell whether tumor markers come from cancer or from another condition. Next step: A biopsy is usually needed to diagnose or rule out cancer.
- Not all cancers have known tumor markers.
- Some non-cancer conditions can cause high levels of certain tumor markers.
- Some people with cancer do not have elevated levels of the commonly tested markers.
- Tumor marker tests cannot diagnose cancer; a biopsy is usually needed.
What to do next
Your provider will review your tumor marker test results along with other information about your condition. Together, you can discuss how your results affect your diagnosis, treatment, and schedule for future testing.
- What tumor marker was tested and why?
- How do my results compare to the reference range used by my provider?
- What other tests or procedures might I need based on these results?
- What are the next steps in my treatment or monitoring plan?
Evidence source
Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus). Practices and reference ranges may differ in your country.