What role do tumor markers play in aftercare? | Tumor markers of breast cancer

What role do tumor markers play in aftercare?

The aftercare examination is not schematized, but carried out individually. A detailed conversation with the patient takes place at each examination. Next, the patient is physically examined.

Every six months a gynaecological cell examination and, if necessary, an ultrasound examination of the ovaries is also carried out. In the case of breast-conserving surgery, a mammography is also performed. Every 12 months a mammography and ultrasound examination of the other breast and a sonography of the armpits (lymph nodes) is recommended.

Only if metastases are suspected would further examinations be carried out, e.g. X-ray of the ribcage, ultrasound of the liver, skeletal examination. Tumour markers are not a routine examination. The markers are not checked routinely, but only if there is a suspicion or physical evidence.

Function of tumor markers

With a few exceptions, tumour markers are used today mainly for therapy and progress monitoring, less for diagnosis. On the basis of the tendency with which the measured values develop, a statement can be made, for example, about the success of a therapy. The legal program for the early detection of cancer therefore does not include tumor marker determinations.

Problems of tumor markers

Ideally, a tumour marker should only be elevated or even measurable in the blood if a certain cancer is present. In reality, however, with a few exceptions, there is hardly a molecule that is specific for a particular type of cancer. This means that different types of cancer can influence one and the same tumour marker.

However, other diseases and completely harmless causes can also influence the measured values in many cases. For example, a simple bicycle ride can raise the PSA value (tumour marker for prostate cancer) without the presence of a disease. Conversely, it can happen that the values remain within the normal range despite the presence of disease.