Best tumor markers for ovarian cancer diagnosis

Currently, there are two methods for detecting CEA. One is to use radioimmunoassay to measure blood CEA, and the other is to use immunohistochemistry to detect CEA in cancer tissue. The clinical results of these two tests are related to the tumor's tissue type, clinical stage and grade, efficacy, and whether there is metastasis and recurrence after treatment.

Ovarian cancer is one of the most common tumors of female reproductive organs, and its incidence rate ranks third after cervical cancer and uterine body cancer. However, deaths from ovarian cancer account for the largest number of all gynecological tumors, posing a serious threat to women's lives. Due to the complex embryonic development, tissue anatomy and endocrine function of the ovary, the tumors it suffers from may be benign or malignant. Since ovarian cancer has no symptoms in the early clinical stages, it is quite difficult to distinguish its tissue type and whether it is benign or malignant.

Immunological examination is a new way to diagnose tumors and is currently an ideal method for detecting tumor markers. However, at present, the sensitivity and specificity of ovarian malignant tumor markers cannot meet the needs of early diagnosis. They are mostly used to detect changes in the condition during and/or after treatment, to provide a basis for evaluating the efficacy and timely detection of tumor recurrence, so as to take effective treatment measures in time to improve the survival rate.

(1) Cancer antigen 125 (CA125)

(2) Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA): There are currently two methods for detecting CEA. One is to use radioimmunoassay to measure blood CEA, and the other is to use immunohistochemistry to detect CEA in cancer tissue. The clinical results of these two tests are related to the tumor tissue type, clinical stage and grade, efficacy, and whether there is metastasis and recurrence after treatment.

(3) Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP): Whether AFP is elevated depends on whether the tumor tissue contains endodermal sinus tumor components. It has specific value for ovarian endodermal sinus tumors (ovarian cysts), or for immature teratomas and mixed dysgerminomas mixed with yolk sac components. When the tumor recurs or metastasizes, even if there are tiny tumor foci, AFP will rise again, which is more sensitive than other examination methods.

(4) Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG): Measuring the patient's serum β-HCG can help diagnose ovarian choriocarcinoma and germ cell tumors with choriocarcinoma components, such as ovarian pure dysgerminoma. It can also accurately reflect the number of cancer cells, so it can also be used as an indicator to observe changes in the disease and the effectiveness of anti-cancer treatment.

(5) Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH): LDH isoenzyme spectrum has certain significance in the diagnosis of malignant tumors.

(6) Sialic acid (SA): Dynamic observation of SA helps to change the treatment plan in a timely manner.