🎗️ Tumor Marker Interpretation
Reference upper limits, main associations and false-positive/negative limitations of common tumor markers. Browser-side reference — mostly for monitoring, not screening.
Tumor Marker Interpretation
Marker
When to use
Interpret a marker as a monitoring trend in a diagnosed patient, not as a screening or diagnostic test.
How it works
Examples: CEA < 5 ng/mL, AFP < 10–20, CA19-9 < 37 U/mL, CA125 < 35 U/mL, PSA < 4 ng/mL.
Key points
- Most markers are for response/recurrence monitoring, not screening or diagnosis.
- The dynamic trend beats a single value.
- Inflammation and benign disease commonly cause false positives.
- An elevation must be confirmed with imaging and pathology.
References
Decision support for licensed clinicians only; not a substitute for clinical judgement, diagnosis or local protocols.