Cancer Screening Profile, Male
Cancer Screening Profile, Male
The cancer screening profile, male test is done to look for signs of cancer in men. This screening test comprises of taking blood samples to find out the presence of cancer cells when viewed under the microscope. The test may also find proteins and other substances made by the cancer cells and also provide information on how well your organs are working.
This test comprises of the following:
· Alpha Fetoprotein (AFP), Serum
· CA 19-9
· CA 15-3
· Calcitonin
· Carcino Embryonic Antigen (CEA), Serum
· Complete Blood Count (CBC)
· Prostate Specific Antigen, Free (Free PSA)
· Prostate Specific Antigen, Total (Total PSA)
· Thyroglobulin (Tg)
Thus, the cancer screening profile, male test may be ordered by a healthcare provider for the early diagnosis of cancer in men
Which tests are included?
The cancer screening profile, male test is used to evaluate:
· Alfa Fetoprotein (AFP), Serum: The AFP tumour marker test is a blood test that measures the level of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in a blood sample. This test is useful in detecting and diagnosing liver, testicular, and ovarian cancers. However, it should be noted that elevated AFP levels can also be caused by non-cancerous liver diseases. Therefore, the AFP tumour marker test is not sufficient on its own for cancer screening or diagnosis. It is most effective when used in conjunction with other examinations and tests to aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of cancers that lead to increased AFP levels.
· Cancer antigen (CA) 19-9: Some cancer cells have a protein called cancer antigen 19-9 on their surface. This test tracks the evolution of cancer by measuring the blood level of CA 19-9. The marker is very useful as a non-invasive tumour marker. Elevated levels are associated with pancreatic cancer. Tracking CA 19-9 levels can assist in determining whether a surgical procedure, or medication, is successful or even if there is a recurrence.
· CA 15-3: The amount of cancer antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3) in your blood is determined by this test. A chemical called CA 15-3 activates your body's defense mechanisms. The CA 15-3 antigen is released into the bloodstream by specific types of cancer cells. Certain cancers, such as those of the colon, lung, pancreas, ovaries, or prostrate, are monitored with this test.
· Calcitonin: A calcitonin test determines how much calcitonin is present in a blood sample. A hormone called calcitonin aids in regulating the amount of calcium in your blood. Elevated calcitonin levels could indicate C-cell hyperplasia and medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). Those with a family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2, a rare genetic disorder, are at a higher risk of developing MTC.
· Carcino Embryonic Antigen (CEA), Serum: Carcino embryonic antigen (CEA) is a cancer marker. Nearly all cancer types have elevated blood CEA levels, with breast, colon, and rectum cancers having the highest prevalence.
· Complete Blood Count (CBC): The complete blood count (CBC) provides information on general disease conditions and overall health. Additionally, if an abnormal cell or an excess or shortage of a particular type of blood cell is found, this test may be used to identify blood cancers. The test consists of:
Ø Hematocrit: This measures the amount of red blood cells (RBCs) in the blood.
Ø Hemoglobin: It is a blood protein that transports oxygen or carbon dioxide in the blood.
Ø Mean Corpuscular Value (MCV): This measures the amount of hemoglobin per RBC.
Ø Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC): This measures the amount of hemoglobin concentrate in a given volume of RBCs.
Ø Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW): This measures the difference of red blood cell size or volume in a given blood sample.
Ø Percentage and Absolute Differential Counts: This measures the number of various white blood cell (WBC) types within the blood.
Ø Platelet count: This measures the number of platelets in blood that are responsible for blood clotting.
Ø Red Blood Cell Count (RBC): This measures the number of RBCs in blood, responsible for oxygen transport throughout the body.
Ø White Blood Cell Count (WBC): This measures the number of WBCs in the blood, which defend the body against infections and foreign bodies.
· Prostate Specific Antigen, Free (Free PSA): Prostate-specific antigen, free (Free PSA) testing is a widely used screening method for the early diagnosis of prostate cancer. It quantifies the amount of a protein in the blood produced by prostate gland cells. Free PSA is calculated as the proportion of free PSA to total PSA. Elevated levels of free prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests can help detect prostate cancer, although they can also happen for other reasons.
· Prostate Specific Antigen, Total (Total PSA): Prostate specific antigen, total along with free PSA, predicts the risk of developing prostate cancer. For example: Low percentages of free PSA and higher total PSA levels, are associated with higher risk of prostate cancer.
Thyroglobulin (Tg): This is a type of tumour marker test that measures the level of thyroglobulin in a sample of blood. Thyroglobulin is a protein made by the thyroid gland. Usually, cells from common types of thyroid cancer (papillary carcinoma and follicular thyroid cancer) release thyroglobulin. This test is useful only after treatment of common thyroid cancers and cannot be used for diagnosis because other thyroid disease that are not cancers, also affect thyroglobulin levels
What is Cancer Screening Profile, Male test used for?
Cancer screening profile, male test is done to:
Find out if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastasis)
Predict how fast the cancer cells may grow
Select the right cancer treatment
Monitor how well the treatment is working
See if there is a recurrence of cancer even after treatment
Test preparation
The cancer screening profile, male test requires 8-12 hours of fasting. This means that one should not eat or drink anything except water before undergoing this test
Interpretation of the Test Results
Interpretation of results
|
Reference range |
Inference |
|
|
AFP |
0-40 ng/mL |
>400ng/mL: Liver cancer |
|
CA 19-9 |
<37u/mL |
High levels: Pancreatic Cancer |
|
CA 15-3 |
Less than equal to 30U/mL |
High levels: Prostate cancer |
|
Calcitonin |
<25pg/mL |
High levels: C-cell hyperplasia and medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) |
|
CEA |
0-2.9ng/mL |
Increased levels do not necessarily indicate cancer |
|
CBC · Hematocrit
· Hemoglobin
· MCV
· MCHC
· RDW
· Percentage and Absolute Differential Counts
· RBC
· WBC |
41%-50%
13.2-16.6g/dL
80-100 fl
33-36g/dL
11.8%-14.5%
· Neutrophils: 40%-60% · Lymphocytes: 20%-40% · Monocytes: 2%-8% · Eosinophils: 1%-4% · Basophils: 0.5%-1% · Band (Young neutrophil): 0%-3%
4.0 to 5.9 x 10*12/L
4.5 to 11.0 x 10*9/L |
High levels: Polycythemia vera
Low: Anemia High: Polycythemia vera
Low: Microcytic anemia High: Macrocytic anemia
Low: Hypochromic anemia High: Hyperchromic anemia
High levels: Nutrient deficiency, anemia
High levels: Leukemia, inflammation, infections
Low levels: Vitamin deficiency
Low: Leukopenia High: Leucocytosis |
|
Prostate Specific Antigen, Free (Free PSA) |
0-10% |
Between 0-10% free PSA indicates 56% probability of prostate cancer |
|
Prostate Specific Antigen, Total (Total PSA) |
4.0 to 10.0ng/mL |
High levels: ≥10.0 ng/mL indicates risk of prostate cancer |
|
Tg |
1.40-29.2ng/mL |
Indicates success/failure of thyroid cancer treatment |
FAQs
How is the sample collected for the cancer screening profile, male test?
Your healthcare provider will use a tiny needle to draw blood from a vein in your arm. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. This procedure usually takes less than few minutes
What is the turnaround time (TAT) for cancer screening profile, male test?
Many blood tests are available within 1-2 working days but others can take anywhere between several days to a week’s time, depending upon the diagnostic clinic
What are the risks associated with cancer screening profile, male test?
The cancer screening profile, male test poses minimal risk. You may experience slight discomfort or bruising at the site where the blood was drawn, but these symptoms will subside quickly. In rare cases, there is a possibility of infection occurring at the site where the needle was insertedThe cancer screening profile, male test poses minimal risk. You may experience slight discomfort or bruising at the site where the blood was drawn, but these symptoms will subside quickly. In rare cases, there is a possibility of infection occurring at the site where the needle was inserted
Which cancer screening test is important for reproductive health of men?
PSA test is important for the reproductive health of men. A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test along with a digital rectal exam (DRE) are usually recommended every year for men who are 50 years of age and above in order to screen for prostate cancer
What are the limitations of cancer screening tests?
Cancer screening tests may not always provide accurate results. In some cases, the test may indicate the presence of cancer even when there is none, leading to a false-positive result. Conversely, the test may fail to detect cancer when it is actually present, resulting in a false-negative result
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