Tumor marker for pancreatic cancer is?

Appeared in: AIIMS Delhi NO - 2017

Explanation

CA-19-9 (Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9) is the primary tumor marker used in the management of pancreatic cancer.
It is a glycoprotein that is elevated in the majority of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
Its main clinical use is to monitor the response to therapy and to detect disease recurrence after treatment.
Elevated levels are not exclusive to pancreatic cancer and can be seen in other gastrointestinal cancers and benign conditions like pancreatitis and cholangitis.

Option B: CA-125 is the established tumor marker for monitoring epithelial ovarian cancer.
Option C: AFP (Alpha-fetoprotein) is primarily associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) and certain germ cell tumors.
Option D: PSA (Prostate-specific antigen) is a well-known marker for prostate cancer.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Tumor markers and their associated malignancies as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a key role in educating patients about the purpose of tumor marker tests, explaining that they are for monitoring and not a standalone diagnostic tool.
It is crucial to understand that elevated levels can cause significant patient anxiety. The nurse must be prepared to provide support and clarify that other conditions can also cause elevations.
A nurse monitoring a patient's lab results would report a significant rise in CA-19-9 to the physician, as it may indicate disease progression or recurrence, prompting further investigation.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of specific laboratory markers.
First, identify the key terms in the question: 'Tumor marker' and 'pancreatic cancer'.
Mentally review the common tumor markers and their primary associations.
Associate CA-19-9 with pancreatic cancer.
Evaluate the other options to confirm they are associated with different cancers (CA-125 with ovarian, AFP with liver, PSA with prostate).
Select the option that correctly links the marker to pancreatic cancer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QXEXbJtocIb5KPDezkM0Bo

E6 Harper's Illustrated Biochemistry2023 (pp 26-793 of 813) p. 693-695

E6 Pathology- ROBBINS & COTRAN PATHOLOGIC BASIS OF DISEASE 10TH Ed p. 343-345

Practise the full AIIMS Delhi NO - 2017

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.