Cancer Marker Profile (Breast) Monoclonal Antibody With Gene Analysis Blood

Cancer marker profile (Breast) is a special test performed on women for diagnosing the type of breast cancer. This test also helps in detecting the activity of cancer in the body.

What is the importance of cancer marker profile test?

This test is used to detect cancer activity in the body. Circulating tumors and proteins are the two types of markers that can be measured. Circulating tumor cells are the cells that break off from cancer and move into the bloodstream. A cancer tumor releases a specific protein into the blood which serves as a marker for cancer. Circulating tumors and protein markers can be measured with simple blood tests. These tests are done before starting the treatment or to help diagnose the type of breast cancer and determine whether it’s moved to other parts of the body or during treatment or to assess whether the cancer is responding to the treatment or after the treatment to check for the recurrence.

What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is the growth of tumors in the breast. These tumors arise from the uncontrolled growth of cells in the breast. They are mostly formed in the ducts which transport milk to the nipple during lactation (breastfeeding) or in the lobules, the glands which produce milk. There are different types of breast cancers and each of them has its own characteristics. Some of them grow slowly while others can be rapidly developing. These characteristics of each cancer may affect the treatment preferences and also the chances of cancer to recur. The chances of developing breast cancer can be at any age but women with older age at increased risk. Other than the age, risk factors of breast cancer include women who did not have children, who had cancer in the other breast, who had their first child at the age of 30, women with a family history (mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, etc) of breast cancer, with inherited mutation in breast cancer genes. The symptoms of breast cancer are breast swelling, breast pain, change in the size or appearance or shape of the breasts, swelling of lymph nodes, lumps in the underarms, lumps in the breast, breast skin dimpling, reddening or thickening, nipple retraction, pigmented, peeling, scaling or flaking skin in the area around the nipple, etc. mostly lumps found in the breast are non-cancerous but are benign. The signs and symptoms associated with breast cancer may be due to other causes.

Test parameters:

• CA 15.3
• CA27.29
• ER
• PR
• HER2-NEU
• GCDFP

Why this test is performed?

This test may be recommended to you if you experience symptoms of breast cancer like lumps found in the breast, skin on the breast dimpling, reddening or thickening, nipple retraction, breast swelling or pain, nipple pain, discharge from nipples, swollen lymph nodes, lumps in underarms, peeling or scaling or flaking or pigmented skin in the area around the nipple, changes in the shape or appearance or size of the breast, etc. This test may be recommended to you to plan the treatment according to your the results. This test is also preferred to check the disease progression or to check the recurrence.

The normal test results may vary depending on age, health history, medical condition, etc.

The test results can be interpreted only by your doctor. Hence consult your doctor soon after receiving your lab reports for further diagnosis or medical intervention.