The term “tumor markers” refers to chemicals and substances made by tumor cells that can be measured. Often these chemicals will also be made by normal cells, but not in as much quantity.
While often makes them unsuitable for diagnosis, the amount of these substances can be monitored to get an idea about the tumor, as to whether or not it is growing or responding to treatment.Soluble Mesothelin-Related Peptides and osteopontin are tumor markers for mesothelioma. Tumor markers for other cancers are probably more recognized by most people, such as PSA (prostate specific antigen) which has been used to follow prostate cancer, or CA 125 which is elevated in patients with ovarian cancer.
Dr. Kaplan
