Tumor marker test for bladder cancer

Tumor marker test for bladder cancer? Bladder cancer is the most common malignant tumor of the urinary system, and its etiology is complex, with both internal genetic factors and external environmental factors. So, what are the tumor markers for bladder cancer? How should bladder cancer be treated if it is discovered?

Tumor markers for bladder cancer include:

1. ABO (H) blood type antigen. Normal urothelium is rich in ABO (H) blood type antigen, which is not a tumor antigen, but a tissue antigen. In patients with transitional cell carcinoma, the presence or absence of such substances is significant for prognosis. Partial or complete loss of ABO (H) blood type antigen on the surface of the bladder lining epithelium indicates that the tumor is highly malignant and prone to recurrence, with a poor prognosis; if ABO (H) blood type antigen is retained, the tumor is less likely to infiltrate the muscle layer.

2. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). It is a tumor-associated antigen. Normal urothelium does not have CEA, but CEA in the plasma and urine of bladder cancer patients increases significantly, while a considerable number of bladder cancer patients only have a small increase or even no increase. Since urinary tract infection can affect CEA levels, false positives are prone to occur.

3. β-Glucarylase (β-GRS). The relationship between the increased activity of β-GRS in urine and the formation of bladder tumors and the degree of malignant lesions has not yet been determined. It is generally believed that after liver detoxification and binding with glucuronic acid, the inactivated carcinogens can be cleaved and reduced by β-GRS in urine, so that the carcinogenic activity is partially released again, causing bladder cancer. Therefore, an increase in β-GRS in urine indicates a tendency to develop bladder cancer.

4. Rheumatoid factor. Rheumatoid factor titers are increased in patients with bladder squamous cell carcinoma and transitional cell carcinoma.

5. Urinary N-acetyl-β-D-glucosamine glucosidase (NAG). NAG activity has a certain relationship with the pathological grade of bladder tumors. The higher the grade of bladder tumors, the faster they grow, the poorer the blood supply to the peripheral part, and the easier it is to necrotize. Therefore, the NAG in urine is also correspondingly higher.

6. Lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes (LDH isoenzymes). In living specimens of advanced bladder cancer with deep tumor infiltration, the percentage of LDH1 decreases and the ratio of LDH6/LDH1 increases progressively.

7. Urine fibrin degradation products (FDP): It is related to the activity of the tumor, but the false negative rate is as high as 23%.