Cancer Markers
Tumor markers and protein tests used to screen for or monitor certain cancers. Most are not diagnostic on their own.
17 tests explained
Most common tests
Common follow-up tests
- AFP (Alpha-Fetoprotein)A protein made by a baby's liver before birth. Adults who aren't pregnant normally have very little. Doctors follow it in some liver and germ cell conditions.
- CA 15-3 (Cancer Antigen 15-3)A protein on breast and other gland cells. Doctors use it to follow breast cancer treatment, and many harmless conditions can raise it too.
- CA 19-9 (Cancer Antigen 19-9)A sugar-and-protein molecule that some digestive-system cancers release. Many harmless bile duct, liver and pancreas conditions raise it too.
- CA 27.29A protein from the same family as CA 15-3. Doctors use it to follow breast cancer treatment and recurrence, and harmless conditions can raise it too.
- CA-125 (Cancer Antigen 125)A protein made by tissue lining the pelvis and belly. Doctors mainly use it to follow ovarian cancer, and many harmless conditions raise it too.
- CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen)A protein that some cancers release, mainly colorectal. It is used to follow people with cancer, not to screen healthy people.
- Cologuard (Multitarget Stool DNA Test)A home stool test that looks for altered DNA and hidden blood linked to colon cancer and advanced polyps. It is a screening test, not a diagnosis.
- Free Kappa Light Chains, SerumA small antibody piece (kappa type) made by plasma cells. It is read with lambda, the ratio and your kidney function.
- Free Kappa/Lambda Light Chain RatioCompares kappa with lambda free light chains. A lopsided ratio can be a clue to a plasma cell condition, but kidney disease also shifts it.
- Free Lambda Light Chains, SerumA small antibody piece (lambda type) made by plasma cells. It is read with kappa, the ratio and your kidney function.
- Immunofixation (IFE), SerumChecks whether a protein made by one clone of plasma cells is in your blood. If so, it names the type, such as IgG kappa.
- M-Protein (Monoclonal Spike), SerumThe size of a monoclonal protein (M-spike), a single antibody made by one group of plasma cells. Most people have none.
- Prostate Health Index (PHI)A calculated score that combines total PSA, free PSA and p2PSA to estimate how likely a biopsy is to find prostate cancer when total PSA is mildly raised.
- PSA, FreeThe part of the PSA in your blood that is not attached to other proteins. It is read next to total PSA, not by itself.
- PSA, Free Percent (% Free PSA)The share of your PSA that is not attached to other proteins. With a mildly raised total PSA, a lower share goes with a higher chance a biopsy finds cancer.
- SPEP Interpretation (Serum Protein Electrophoresis)A written summary of your serum protein electrophoresis pattern: for example a normal pattern, a monoclonal spike, or a broad rise or fall in one protein group.