kasvainmärkkäin

Kasvainmärkkäin is a Finnish term that translates to "tumor marker" in English. Tumor markers are substances produced by cancer cells or by the body in response to cancer. They can be found in the blood, urine, or other body fluids.

The presence of a tumor marker does not necessarily mean a person has cancer, as some tumor markers can be elevated due to non-cancerous conditions. Similarly, not all cancers produce detectable tumor markers. However, when used in conjunction with other diagnostic tools, tumor markers can be valuable for several reasons.

They can aid in the diagnosis of certain cancers, help determine the stage or extent of the disease, monitor the effectiveness of treatment, and detect recurrence of cancer after treatment. Examples of common tumor markers include PSA (prostate-specific antigen) for prostate cancer, CA-125 for ovarian cancer, and CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen) for various gastrointestinal cancers.

It is important to note that tumor marker testing is not a standalone diagnostic test. Results should always be interpreted by a healthcare professional within the context of a patient's overall medical history, symptoms, and other diagnostic findings. The development and refinement of tumor marker tests are ongoing areas of medical research.