biomarker

biomarker /bio·mark·er/ (bi´o-mahr″ker)

1. a biological molecule used as a marker for a substance or process of interest.

2. tumor marker.

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bi·o·mark·er (b-märkr)

n.

1. See marker.

2. A specific physical trait used to measure or indicate the effects or progress of a disease, illness, or condition.

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Biomarker

A biochemical substance that can be detected in blood samples and indicates the presence of a cancerous tumor.

Mentioned in: Ovarian Cancer

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marker [mahr´ker]

something that identifies or that is used to identify; see also determinant.

cell-surface marker an antigenic determinant found on the surface of a specific type of cell.

tumor marker a biochemical substance indicative of presence of a tumor; ideally, it should be specific, sensitive, and proportional to tumor load. Called also biomarker.

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biomarker,

n a short-lived radioactive molecule that can be used as a marker to follow a condition or a process.

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biomarker

a biological unit used as an indirect indicator of the impact of pollutants on biota, e.g. an enzyme such as mixed function oxygenase levels, immune status of animals in the receiving environment.

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biomarker

Diagnostic medicine Any relatively specific biochemical parameter–eg, PSA, Hb_1a or troponin I which, when found in ↑ amount in the blood, other body fluids, or tissues, suggest the presence of certain diseases or cancers. See Cardiac marker, Tumor marker.

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Patient discussion about biomarker.

Q. My wife(53) has elevated CEA and CA19.9 levels - near 150, without any concomitant reason/observation? Comment

A. Hi Bobby3,

The most important question is why were these tests done?
An elevated level may result from many causes, some of them are simple and some are more problematic. IMHO the best thing would be consulting her doctor to consider the need to check-up her alimentary system.
You can read more here (http://www.ascocancerfoundation.org/patient/ASCO+Resources/Patient+Guides/ASCO+Patient+Guide:+Tumor+Markers+for+Gastrointestinal+Cancers) and here (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Detection/tumor-markers)

Q. what is a safe tumor marker number range?

A. depends on the marker...most of the markers are materials that found normally in our body. and there are a number of markers and their levels differentiate. what marker do you mean?