Tumor marker. The laboratory's role in cancer patient management.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the Western world, exceeded only by cardiovascular disease. Twenty percent of American deaths result from the spectrum of diseases known as cancer. Strategies to decrease cancer mortality include prevention, early detection, a wide variety of therapies, and more effective monitoring of treatment. This assessment focuses on the clinical laboratory aspects of two such strategies--early cancer diagnosis and development of more effective cancer therapy. Laboratory detection of tumor markers helps to confirm the diagnosis early, allowing treatment to begin when the disease is most amenable to therapy. Tumor markers, the specific biochemical substances synthesized by cancer cells, can be measured in body fluids by common laboratory test methods. Laboratory detection and monitoring of tumor marker levels are being used increasingly with growing effectiveness in the campaign against cancer.