Published 22 September 2009, doi:10.1136/bmj.b3527
Cite this as: BMJ 2009;339:b3527

Clinical Review

Serum tumour markers: how to order and interpret them

C M Sturgeon, consultant clinical scientist1, L C Lai, professor of clinical biochemistry and metabolic medicine2, M J Duffy, professor of pathology and laboratory medicine3,4

1 Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SA, 2 Faculty of Medicine, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 3 Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin 4, Ireland, 4 UCD School of Medicine and Medical Science, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland

Correspondence to: C M Sturgeon C.Sturgeon@ed.ac.uk

doi: 10.1136/bmj.b3111

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.


Tumour markers can contribute usefully to patient management, but awareness of their limitations is essential
The main application of tumour markers is in monitoring
Measurement of {alpha} fetoprotein and human chorionic gonadotrophin is mandatory in the management of germ cell tumours
Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is recommended for postoperative follow-up of patients with stage II and III colorectal cancer if further surgery or chemotherapy is an option
Prostate specific antigen (PSA) may be used for detecting disease recurrence and monitoring treatment in patients with prostate cancer
In some high risk patients, measurement of {alpha} fetoprotein, CA125, or CA19-9 may aid early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma, ovarian cancer, or pancreatic cancer, respectively
Opportunistic screening with panels of tumour markers is not helpful, nor is measurement of CA125 in men or PSA in women


Tumour markers are molecules that may be present in higher than usual concentrations in the tissue, serum, urine, or other body . . . [Full text of this article]


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