Tumor markers in gynecologic cancer

The development of biochemical tumor markers has increased the use of antibody-dependent tumor marker assays in gynecologic oncology. Several monoclonal antibodies directed against novel epitopes on tumor-associated antigens have allowed the development of sensitive assays for serum markers. Assays for human chorionic gonadotrophin and TA-4 have been improved. CA 125 has provided a useful first-generation markers. Ovarian cystoadenocarcinoma-associated antigen and lipid-associated sialic acid have been developed for ovarian cancer, transforming growth factor for squamous cancer, and placenta protein 4 for endometrial and cervical cancer. The most widely applied procedures to identify these markers are immunofluorescent microscopy and immunocytochemical staining. Multiple markers and modalities may be required to increase the sensitivity of tumor detection. CA 15-3 and GCDFP-15 markers have been useful in detecting breast cancer. The application of radionuclide imaging will provide a new field for the diagnosis of gynecologic malignancies.