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Diagnosis and Detection of Cancer
A "holy grail" in cancer research has and still is to find a tumor specific marker that can provide THE test for cancer. This goal remains to be realized. But research on the utilization of markers in populations has given rise to the discipline of genetic epidemiology. Currently markers are the most useful in following patients for response to cytoreductive therapies and to predict any cancer recurrence a few months ahead of imaging and clinical tests. Chorionic gonadotrophin and alpha-fetoprotein provide excellent markers to follow the curative treatment of testicular tumors. Carcinoembryonic antigen in the case of colorectal cancer, and prostate specific antigen for prostate cancer are other examples. Tumor cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry to look at the S phase can provide useful information on the degree of anaplasia and hence clinical aggressiveness. B and T cell markers are important for classifying leukemias. Receptors for estrogen and progesterone in beast cancer provide guidance for the use of hormonal therapies as well as prognostic information.
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