Definition:
Substances that are released by cancer cells or produced by the body in reaction to a tumor that is present. Tumor markers are usually measured in the blood or the urine.
Tumor markers are usually tested as a method of following cancer treatments, rather than as a method to screen for or diagnose cancer. Other diseases may also cause tumor markers to be increased, and methods of following cancer, such as CT scans, are used in combination with tumor markers to follow progress with lung cancer.
Examples of tumor markers used in lung cancer include carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in non-small cell lung cancer, and neuron-specific enolase (NSE), used to follow small cell lung cancer.
Examples:
Gloria was discouraged that the tumor marker used to monitor her lung cancer treatment had increased, but was relieved that her tumor had actually decreased in size on a CT scan.
