Cancer biomarkers
Term
These are molecules found in blood or tissues that are associated with the cancer process, and their secretion and identification are important for cancer diagnosis. The concentration of tumor markers usually increases several months before the onset of symptoms of the disease. Cancer markers are characterized by specificity and are related to a specific cancerous tissue, as there is a significant difference between different tissue tumors. They are used to determine diagnosis, prognosis, metabolism, and treatment effectiveness.
Source | Glossary of Most Commonly Used Biomedical Terms and Concepts | Lithuanian University of Health Sciences | Academician Professor Antanas Praškevičius, Professor Laima Ivanovienė