Tumour MarkersSerum tumour markers are generally best used in monitoring people with known cancer. False positive and negative results are often a problem when these are used in screening. Always try to use the same laboratory when monitoring a cancer patients tumour marker levels because changes in laboratory methods can cause unexpected and misleading changes in the blood results.Tumour MarkersNormal RangeBreastOvaryPancreasColonLiverTestisProstateLungThyroidComments

AFP 40 mg/LAlpha-foetoprotein is a yolk sac protein made by heptatocellular carcinoma, testicular and germ cell tumours. Levels may be increased in hepatitis and chronic liver disease. Also increased in pregnant women and children less than one year of age.

CA 125 35 U/mL Increased in 70-80% ovarian cancinomas. Not sensitive enough for screening. Levels lower after menopause. Increased CA 125 seen with ascites from any cause, during menstration, with benign ovarian cysts, endometriosis and liver disease.

CA 15.3 31 U/mLIncreased in women with breast cancer and may be used to follow their response to treatment. Also increased with some pancreatic, lung, colotectal or ovarian cancer. Approximately 5% of normal women will have CA 15.3 > 25 Ku/L, 23% of women with primary breast cancer and 69% of those with metastatic disease. Not suitable for screen because of low sensitivity. Increased in liver disease.

CA 19.9 37 U/mLUsed to monitor carcinoma of the pancreas or other gastrointestinal malignanies. Normal in at least 30% of people with pancreatic cancer. Values >1000kU/L often indicate cancer although increases are seen in cholangitis, cirrhosis, pancreatitis and cystic fibrousis. Non-malignant increases often