[Tumor associated biomarker for early diagnosis of cancer]

It is almost impossible to diagnose early cancers by elevated tumor markers in serum. However, it is possible by detecting tumor associated biomarkers in the excreted specimens such as nipple discharge, urine and feces. Elevated CEA in nipple discharge is indicative of non-palpable "To" early breast cancer, elevated fecal CEA indicated hemoccult test-negative colon cancer, basic fetoprotein and beta-hCG core fragment in the urine for urogenital malignancies, and urinary VMA or HVA for asymptomatic neuroblastomas. Detection of abnormal genes is more sensitive than cytology and suggests cancers or precancerous changes. PCR-SSCP method enabled to determine Ki-ras gene mutation in pancreatic juice and in duodenal juice in pancreatic cancer patients.