Can the three tumor markers detect cancer?
Tumor marker panels usually cannot directly diagnose cancer, but can serve as an auxiliary test to help determine the presence of tumors. Specific analysis is as follows:
A typical tumor marker panel includes tests for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and carbohydrate antigens. These markers may rise in individuals with cancer, but not all cancers cause abnormal levels of these markers. Therefore, tumor marker testing alone cannot definitively confirm the presence of cancer and should be used only as an adjunctive diagnostic tool.
Elevated levels of these tumor markers may be associated with malignant tumors such as hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, and cholangiocarcinoma. However, elevated markers alone are insufficient for a definitive cancer diagnosis; comprehensive evaluation must include clinical symptoms, imaging studies, and pathological examinations.
It is recommended to seek timely medical consultation at a hospital. After confirming the condition through appropriate examinations, follow the doctor's instructions for further management.