What it means
Often called a biomarker. Tumor markers, such as PSA, can be raised by some cancers; cardiac markers, such as troponin, rise when heart muscle is damaged; inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein, rise with inflammation. Markers help diagnose disease and follow treatment, but a single result rarely proves a diagnosis.
At a glance
| Also written | markers |
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Related terms
screening test
A test given to people who have no symptoms, to find a disease or risk early.
staging
Working out how large a cancer is and how far it has spread in the body.