Male Tumour Markers

The Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) test measures the level of CEA in the blood. CEA is a protein that is normally produced during fetal development, but its production decreases significantly after birth. However, some cancer cells can produce CEA, and elevated levels of CEA in the blood may indicate the presence of certain types of cancer, such as colorectal, pancreatic, lung, breast, and ovarian cancer.

In addition to cancer, other health conditions that may contribute to elevated CEA levels include inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease, and smoking.

CEA is particularly useful for monitoring the response to cancer treatment and detecting recurrence. Your doctor will interpret results in context with your medical history and other diagnostic findings.

CA 19-9 is a blood test that measures the levels of a specific protein called carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9). This test is primarily used to aid in the diagnosis and management of pancreatic cancer.

CA 19-9 levels can be elevated in individuals with pancreatic cancer, and the test is often used to monitor the response to treatment or to detect cancer recurrence. However, it is important to note that CA 19-9 levels can also be elevated in other conditions, such as liver disease, gallbladder disease, and certain gastrointestinal disorders.

While CA 19-9 is not specific enough for screening purposes, it provides valuable information when used alongside other diagnostic tests and clinical findings.

The Prostate Specific Antigen (Total) test measures the level of a protein called prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood. This test is primarily used to screen for prostate cancer and monitor its progression in males.

In males, elevated levels of PSA may indicate the presence of prostate cancer, but it can also be caused by non-cancerous conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or prostatitis. Therefore, further diagnostic tests are usually required to confirm the diagnosis of prostate cancer.

It is important to note that the Prostate Specific Antigen (Total) test is not specific to prostate cancer and can yield false-positive or false-negative results. Age, race, family history, and certain medications can also affect PSA levels. Therefore, the test should be interpreted in conjunction with other clinical findings and individual risk factors.

The Alpha Fetoprotein (AFP) test measures the levels of AFP in the blood. AFP is a protein produced by the liver and yolk sac of a developing fetus. In adults, elevated levels of AFP may indicate certain health conditions.

In males, an elevated AFP level may be associated with testicular cancer, liver cancer, or cirrhosis. It can also be used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment for these conditions.

AFP is particularly valuable for detecting and monitoring testicular germ cell tumours and hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer). However, liver disease (non-cancerous) can also cause elevated AFP levels, so results should be interpreted alongside other diagnostic findings.