What are Tumor Markers?
Tumor markers are molecules or substances found in higher concentrations in the blood, urine, or other tissues of people with cancers. Tumor markers are also known as biomarkers, and they help indicate cancer presence. These markers can be proteins, genes, hormones, enzymes, or other molecules. These markers can be produced by the cancer cells or the healthy cells in the body in response to cancer. While tumor markers are not diagnostic of cancer in isolation, they play an essential role in cancer detection, diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and prognosis.
In this article, we will look at how tumor markers work, and we will examine some common tumor markers that you may have heard of, particularly those in relation to breast cancer.
How tumor markers work
Tumor markers are used in various ways that make their importance elaborated in modern medicine. They include:
- Production: Tumor markers are produced either by cancer