Blood tests alone can rarely, if ever, show the presence or absence of cancer. If it's suspected that you have cancer, your doctor may order certain cancer blood tests or other laboratory tests, such as an analysis of your urine or a biopsy of a suspicious area, to help guide the diagnosis. While cancer blood tests generally can't absolutely tell whether you have cancer or some other noncancerous condition, they can give your doctor clues about what's going on inside your body.
Because your doctor has ordered cancer blood tests or other laboratory tests to look for signs of cancer doesn't mean that a cancer diagnosis has been made and you have cancer. Find out what your doctor might be looking for when cancer blood tests are done.
What your doctor is looking for
Samples collected with cancer blood tests or other tests of urine, fluid or tissue are analyzed in a lab for signs of cancer. The samples may show cancer cells, proteins or other substances made by the cancer. Blood and urine tests can also give your doctor an idea of how well your organs are functioning and if they've been affected by cancer.
Examples of blood and urine tests used to diagnose cancer include:
* Complete blood count (CBC). This common blood test measures the amount of various types of blood cells in a sample of your blood. Blood cancers may be detected using this test if too many or too few of a type of blood cell or abnormal cells are found. A bone marrow biopsy may help confirm a diagnosis of a blood cancer.
* Urine cytology. Examining a urine sample under a microscope may reveal cancer cells that could come from the bladder, ureters or kidneys.
* Blood protein testing. A test to examine various proteins in your blood (electrophoresis) can aid in detecting certain abnormal immune system proteins (immunoglobulins) that are sometimes elevated in people with multiple myeloma. Other tests, such as a bone marrow biopsy, are used to confirm a suspected diagnosis.
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Tumor marker tests. Tumor markers are chemicals made by tumor cells that can be detected in your blood. But tumor makers are also produced by some normal cells in your body and levels may be significantly elevated in noncancerous conditions. This limits the potential for tumor marker tests to help in diagnosing cancer.
The best ways to use tumor markers in diagnosing cancer hasn't been determined. And the use of some tumor marker tests is controversial. Examples of tumor markers include prostate-specific antigen (PSA) for prostate cancer, cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) for ovarian cancer, calcitonin for medullary thyroid cancer, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) for liver cancer and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) for germ cell tumors, such as testicular cancer and ovarian cancer.
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Once-Condemned Drug May Control Blood Cancer
A drug once denounced for causing birth defects seems to be a promising tool in the fight against a form of blood cancer, In a late-stage study involving 270 patients, researchers looked at whether the controversial drug, thalidomide, would create a better treatment combination for multiple myeloma...
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Colon cancer
Colon, or colorectal, cancer is cancer that starts in the large intestine (colon) or the rectum (end of the colon). Other types of cancer can affect the colon, such as lymphoma, carcinoid tumors, melanoma, and sarcomas. These are rare. In this article, use of the term "colon...
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Lung cancer
Lung cancer is cancer that starts in the lungs. The lungs are located in the chest. They help you breathe. When you breathe, air goes through your nose, down your windpipe (trachea), and into the lungs, where it spreads through tubes called bronchi. Most lung cancer begins in...
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Cancer
Cancer, also called malignancy or neoplasm, develops when cells in a specific part of the body begin to grow out of control. Unlike normal cells, cancer cells do not stop reproducing after they have doubled 50-60 times. Normal body cells grow, divide, and die in an orderly,...
She beat breast cancer only to see the disease return in a different form. But Madam Wong Mei Moy was to beat it again, by changing her blood with the help of her sister Madam Wong Mei Moy now shares a special bond with her sister – her very own blood has changed its nature from AB to A.
This happened after her sister’s marrow was successfully grafted onto hers, as part of the treatment for her blood cancer.
Her doctor, Dr Teo Cheng Peng, explains: “Her sister’s blood is group A while Mei Moy’s was group AB. This is called a blood group mismatch transplant.
“This kind of transplant is not common and is harder to perform. So, when we saw her blood group changing to A, we knew the donor cells (Group A) had taken over (we call this “engraftment”) the patient’s marrow. This is the target, donor taking over the patient’s marrow.
“Needless to say, we are happy with the outcome. We almost lost her a few times and it was a very long process with so many moments of disappointments, frustrations and false dawns. Thank goodness, that she, her husband and sisters were patient enough and kept faith.”
It has indeed been a long journey.
In October 2002, Madam Wong discovered she had breast cancer. She was treated and she was free of it for two years, when she developed the blood cancer.
“It was a very difficult time, but my husband Harry, encouraged me. No need to be afraid,” she said.
This blood cancer is called Acute Myeloid Leukaemia and required a Stem Cell Transplant (SCT).
Dr Teo explained: “SCT treatment is routine for most patients with blood cancer. It usually offers the best chance of a cure.”
Madam Wong, 57, needed to ask her sisters for help – she comes from a large family of eight siblings. Except for one elder brother, the rest were sisters. She had a twin sister but the test showed that cells from another sister would give a better chance of cure, as the cells would “attack” the cancer.
Three of her sisters, aged 57, 61 and 66, came to Singapore to be tested. One was found to be a good candidate. Dr Teo said: “The test between Madam Wong and her sister is called the HLA typing. This test determines if patient and donor match.
It is just a blood test. The twin sister will always match. But between the sister and the twin, the sister is a better choice because of a better “graft vs leukaemia” effect.”
Madam Wong required a few infusions of stem cells from the sister because the leukaemia was rather resistant and kept coming back (relapse) despite the initial infusions of stem cells. It is only with this persistent infusion of donor stem cells that we were able to overcome the leukaemia.”
Madam Wong said: “I am so grateful to my sister and her family who let her come to Singapore. We could see a gradual improvement in the cancer marker. Every time there was even a small increase, we would cheer and hug each other. And fax the results to Indonesia.”
For many months, it was a gruelling routine of daily check-ups and rest. Madam Wong had no visitors, as she tried to rest as much as she could.
“Sometimes it was very difficult to sleep and I needed a light sedative. In those days when I did not have treatments, I did light housework,” she said.
Her husband added: “And we prayed a lot.” The couple are Christians with a son and a daughter who are in Australia.
Throughout the treatment, Madam Wong stayed positive. Her husband said: “She can withstand the tough side effects. She always says: “I can fight this.” I sit beside her, and try to comfort her the best I can.”
Madam Wong said: “Leukeamia is not something simple. It is a journey of many steps. And I was already at an advanced stage when the doctors caught it. I am glad that my sister was with me all the way, and the doctor was patient.”
And the day she got the all clear, she whooped and hugged the nurses, and rang her sister immediately. “I told her I am cured, and it was thanks to her blood,” said Madam Wong.
MD Anderson physician honored for impact on blood, marrow transplantation
Newswise — HOUSTON - The American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation has honored leader, innovator and educator Richard Champlin, M.D., with its Lifetime Achievement Award during the group's annual meeting Feb. 17-21.
The award recognizes Champlin, head of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Biology, for his career-long work developing and improving blood stem cell transplantation as cancer therapy.
"Dr. Champlin is a productive and highly accomplished investigator who is an international leader in blood and marrow transplantation," said A. John Barrett, M.D., ASBMT president. "His work has set clinical standards for the field in the United States and beyond. He's an inspirational mentor to trainees and faculty who will carry his teachings forward."
Blood stem cell transplants, or bone marrow transplants, restore blood production and the immune system after cancer patients receive intensive chemotherapy. Transplants are most commonly used against blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma. Produced in the bone marrow, blood stem cells differentiate into platelets, red blood cells and the immune system's white blood cells. Patients receive either their own banked cells or ones from a matched donor.
"Dick Champlin is a pioneer of stem cell transplantation and one of the best translational researchers in the field," said Waun Ki Hong, M.D., head of MD Anderson's Division of Cancer Medicine. "He's a highly effective leader of MD Anderson's transplant and cellular therapy program. The lifetime achievement award is richly deserved recognition for his outstanding leadership and contributions in the field."
Since Champlin arrived in 1990 to lead MD Anderson's program, it has grown to become the world's largest and most productive, performing 800 transplants a year.
"I am greatly honored to receive this prestigious award," Champlin said. "There has been enormous progress in the field of blood and marrow transplantation. It is very satisfying to have played a part in the clinical research that has so greatly advanced the standards of care."
