Chapter 20: Diagnostic investigations
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Tumour markers
Definition
Tumour markers are molecules of wildly divergent characteristics that may indicate the presence of cancer or a malignancy. They are laboratory based tests that are also able to indicate the likely future behaviour of a cancer. Although generally not diagnostic they can provide information that may contribute to the diagnostic process. A tumour marker can be obtained from serum and tissue with other tests undertaken on body fluids (Duffy [39], European Group on Tumour Markers (EGTM) [46]).
