Tumor marker tests are used for which of the following purposes?

Tumor marker tests are used for which of the following purposes?

• A. All of these
• B. Aid in staging of cancer
• C. Monitor response to therapy
• D. Detect recurrent disease

Answer: (A)

Tumor marker tests measure substances linked to cancer that can be found in blood, urine, or tissue, and they can serve several roles in cancer management. They can aid in staging for certain cancers by reflecting tumor burden and helping gauge how extensive the disease is alongside imaging. They are useful for monitoring response to therapy because changes in marker levels often parallel how well treatment is working, guiding decisions about continuing, adjusting, or stopping a therapy. They also help detect recurrence during follow-up, since rising marker levels can indicate that cancer has returned even before symptoms or new imaging findings appear. Because the usefulness of a marker varies by cancer type and not every cancer has a reliable marker, these tests are selected case by case, but when informative, they contribute to all of these purposes.

Tumor marker tests measure substances linked to cancer that can be found in blood, urine, or tissue, and they can serve several roles in cancer management. They can aid in staging for certain cancers by reflecting tumor burden and helping gauge how extensive the disease is alongside imaging. They are useful for monitoring response to therapy because changes in marker levels often parallel how well treatment is working, guiding decisions about continuing, adjusting, or stopping a therapy. They also help detect recurrence during follow-up, since rising marker levels can indicate that cancer has returned even before symptoms or new imaging findings appear. Because the usefulness of a marker varies by cancer type and not every cancer has a reliable marker, these tests are selected case by case, but when informative, they contribute to all of these purposes.