Fundamental and Clinical Studies of Tumor Markers for Effective Use in Cancer Screening

• Published in: JOURNAL OF THE JAPANESE ASSOCIATION OF RURAL MEDICINE Vol. 35; no. 2; pp. 152 - 156
• Main Authors: YANAGISAWA, Shogo, IKEDA, Masanobu, MATSUSHIMA, Shosui
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: THE JAPANESE ASSOCIATION OF RURAL MEDICINE 30.07.1986
• ISSN: 0468-2513; 1349-7421
• DOI: 10.2185/jjrm.35.152

Part of the blood samples collected during group medical examinations might possibly be used as tumor markers a in preliminary screening for cancer. However, at the present, it would be too hasty a conclusion that the tumor markers in the blood samples are definitely effective in terms of practicality. There is much more probing yet to be done. To begin with, the authors think it necessary to examine the normal values and basal ranges of tumor markers currently available and compare them with clinical values according to the types of cancer. In this report, the five tumor markers (CEA, AFP, Ferritin, SCC and CA19-9) are dealt with. All these markers are undergoing clinical testing on patients in our hospital. The results so far obtained showed that each marker has its own characteristics. CEA has proved to be helpful in making the diagnosis of advanced colo-rectal carcinoma; AEP is useful for liver cancer; Ferritin, liver and lung cancers; SCC, squamous cell, carcinoma; CA19-9, cancer of the pancreas. However, to be noted is the fact that the cancer specificity of these markers are not alway high. Therefore, due caution should be exercised in the use of any one of the markers for cancer screening. In the light of the fact that a combination assay of AFP and Ferritin is effective in diagnosis of primary hepatocellular carcinoma, combinations of dif-ferent markers are worth studying. Furthermore, the finding of blood tests and urianalyses should be checked against the measurements of markers. These efforts will certainly open up a new vista for more effective imple mentation of group cancer screening programs