Answer:

Some blood tests can detect markers like proteins and enzymes produced by cancer cells or by healthy cells in response to a tumor. If the levels of these markers are higher than normal, it could indicate a growing tumor or a cancer-related condition.

Several blood test markers are associated with cancer:

CEA: Elevated CEA levels can be seen in several cancers, suggesting possible colorectal, esophageal, stomach, lung, breast, or pancreatic cancer.

AFP: This blood test measures alpha-fetoprotein. Unusually high AFP levels can indicate primary liver cancer. The increase in AFP often correlates with the tumor's size and aggressiveness.

CA 125: Elevated levels of the protein CA 125 may indicate ovarian cancer.

PSA: Prostate-specific antigen is a key marker for prostate cancer.

Blood tests help support cancer diagnosis and monitoring. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

However, these blood test results don't fully reflect the nature of cancer and aren't conclusive for diagnosis. For example, AFP can be elevated due to hepatitis, cirrhosis, or pregnancy. PSA can increase with prostatitis or an enlarged prostate, while CA 125 can be elevated in benign gynecological conditions.

For a definitive cancer diagnosis, in addition to blood tests, other tests and imaging are needed, depending on the individual case and suspected tumor location. Common imaging methods include ultrasound, X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, and PET scans. These help doctors determine the tumor's location, size, shape, and relationship to surrounding organs.

Endoscopy is also used to diagnose cancers of the digestive, respiratory, and urinary tracts, allowing doctors to directly visualize lesions and take biopsies. A biopsy is the gold standard for cancer diagnosis. A small tissue sample is taken from the suspicious area and examined under a microscope for cancer cells.

Dr. Nguyen Duc Luan MD, PhD

Oncology Department

Tam Anh General Hospital, Hanoi