Elevated Tumor Markers During Chemotherapy

Tumor markers are chemical substances produced by certain tumors or tissues in response to changes in the body caused by cancer or other conditions. Elevated tumors markers during chemotherapy may result from continued cancer growth or rapid destruction of cancer cells.

Function

The body generates different types of tumor markers for different conditions, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Doctors measure tumor marker levels with blood, tissue or urine samples.

Harmful Elevations

Once chemotherapy treatments begin, doctors can measure tumor marker levels to gauge the effectiveness of treatment, according to Chemocare.com. While lowered or unchanged levels indicate tumor shrinkage or lack of growth, elevated levels may indicate cancer progression.

Positive Elevations

In cancers that are sensitive to particular chemotherapy drugs, temporary elevations in tumor marker levels may occur as treatment triggers a die-off of cancer cells and a subsequent heavy release of tumor marker chemicals, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).

Changing Treatments

In cases of elevated tumor markers caused by ineffective treatment, doctors may switch chemotherapy drugs in a search for better treatment results, the ACS reports.

Considerations

Not all cancers produce tumor marker elevations, and elevations can occur in individuals who do not have cancer, the NCI reports.

References

• National Cancer Institute: Tumor Markers
• Chemo Care: How Can We Tell If Chemotherapy is Working?
• American Cancer Society: Tumor Markers