Laboratory testing provides a foundation of information critical to the decision making process, both for you and your Doctors. We take the time to understand the full scope of your health situation.
GENERAL BLOODWORK
Helping you establish a foundation of understanding
Once a person has come to terms with the impact of a cancer diagnosis, their path to care begins with investigation into the options for treatment and options for facilities offering that treatment. More often than not people turn to the web for information and are soon overwhelmed with the breadth and scope of data thrown their way. On this page of our IHC website we endeavour to simplify this experience for you.
EXAMPLES OF TUMOUR MARKERS
Helping you assess and monitor your condition and treatment response.
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… Many different tumor markers have been characterized and are in clinical use… There are some limitations to the use of tumor markers. Sometimes, noncancerous conditions can cause the levels of certain tumor markers to increase. In addition, not everyone with a particular type of cancer will have a higher level of a tumor marker associated with that cancer… Tumor markers are used to help detect, diagnose, and manage some types of cancer. Although an elevated level of a tumor marker may suggest the presence of cancer, this alone is not enough to diagnose cancer. Therefore, measurements of tumor markers are usually combined with other tests, such as biopsies, to diagnose cancer… Tumor marker levels may be measured before treatment to help doctors plan the appropriate therapy… Tumor markers may also be measured periodically during cancer therapy… Tumor markers may also be measured after treatment has ended to check for recurrence (the return of cancer)… If the tumor marker is being used to determine whether treatment is working or whether there is a recurrence, the marker’s level will be measured in multiple samples taken over time. Usually these “serial measurements,” which show whether the level of a marker is increasing, staying the same, or decreasing, are more meaningful than a single measurement.
Click here for more information on Tumour Markers: National Cancer Institute
