Tumor markers: chemistry, diagnostic utility and prognostic significance: a review

ABSTRACT

According to National Cancer Institute [NCI-NIH-USA], tumor markers are substances that are produced by cancer or by other cells of the body in response to cancer or certain benign [noncancerous] conditions. Most tumor markers are made by normal cells as well as by cancer cells; however, they are produced at much higher levels in cancerous conditions. These substances can be found in the blood, urine, stool, tumor tissue, or other tissues or bodily fluids of some patients with cancer1. Most tumor markers are proteins. However, more recently, patterns of and changes to DNA have also begun to be used as tumor markers. Markers of the latter type are assessed in tumor tissue specifically