Diagnostic Methods

In recent years, the "laboratory arsenal" that serves to diagnose cancer and monitor the therapeutic response of our patients, is expanding more and more. New tests and improvements in older tests, so that they become more sensitive and more specific, are constantly appearing. This obviously gives new hope to our patients, as the gain of each day can mean something better in the therapeutic methods. The cutting-edge technology we're talking about is a key element of personalized oncology, and Cancer-Therapy expresses this trend.

Blood tests

In addition to general purpose tests, which are also necessary, neoplastic markers (cancer markers) are very useful. These are biochemical agents of various classes, produced by different types of cancer. Their specialty is not satisfactory, because they also occur in cases of inflammatory diseases. In general, cancers are characterized by very high levels of cancer markers, while inflammation is not. However, attention needs to be paid to the interpretation of the positive finding. Cancer markers are sought in the suspected cancer stage (before diagnosis), and in the post-treatment follow-up phase.

The most commonly used neoplastic markers are:

• Cancer embryonic antigen (CEA). It is normally produced during fetal life by the developing gastrointestinal tract. After birth, there is a downward trend, but smokers keep it high. Pathologically elevated, it is found in intestinal and lung neoplasms, and in metastatic disease it increases even more. With successful treatment it becomes normal again. Therefore, it is useful in monitoring for relapses of the disease.
• Alpha fetal globin (AFP). It is normally produced by the liver of the fetus. Pathologically elevated is found in liver neoplasms and Germ Cell tumors. In cases of pregnancy with fetal pathology may increase.
• Chorionic goodotropin (HCG). It is normally produced and gradually rises to the beginning of pregnancy. It is a diagnostic criterion for pregnancy. It is used to diagnose trophoblastic tumors in non-pregnant women, choriocarcinomas and gestational apples.
• Cancer antigen 15-3 (CA15-3). Useful in the diagnosis of breast cancer and its metastases. It can also increase in liver disease. The MCA and CA indices are also related
• Cancer antigen 19-9 (CA19-9). Useful in the diagnosis of cancer of the rectum and colon, pancreatic and gastrointestinal cancer. The CA index is also relevant
• Cancer antigen 125 (CA125). Useful in the diagnosis of ovarian and adenocarcinoma cancers. However, it is often elevated in endometriosis, liver cirrhosis, pregnancy, etc.
• Special prostate antigen (PSA). It has a great specialty for prostate diseases, from simple inflammation to cancer, which is often associated with very high values, without this being absolute. Antiandrogen therapy lowers the price. Normally elevated is found after sexual activity and finger examination.

In addition to the above, which are more specialized and more sensitive indicators, there are others, less easy to use, but they can also be useful under certain conditions: For example, the cancer antigen 72-4 (CA72-4) for stomach cancer, the Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC Antigen) for upper respiratory and lung cancers, specific neuron-enthallation (NSE) for neuroblastoma and micro-cellular bronchial bronchial cancer, β-2 microsphairin (B2-M) and LDH for lymphatic system malignancies, 5-hydroxy-indolex Acid (5-HIAA) is secreted by carcinoids, antidiuretic hormone (ADH) is secreted by small cell lung and adenocarcinoma cancers, bladder cancer (BTA) and others that are being investigated.

Conventional radiological examination

It never loses its value, because it is a cheap and good way of diagnosis in several cases, eg lung cancer (chest x-ray), breast (mammography) of the digestive (barium meal for the esophagus and stomach, barium enema for the intestine etc.).