My father have many rare symptoms and we don't know what it is. The doctor ordered so many tests and studies and everything is confusing. I need to know if there is a blood test that can be made.
Answer:
No. One blood test alone cannot detect the over 200 cancers and subcategory cancers that exist. A blood test may play a part in the diagnosis of a few cancers only and usually you would need to suspect that cancer and then be tested for it.It sounds like your fathers doctor is being thorough and that is good. The doctor may order a CT or other diagnostic imaging to see if there are any signs of tumor. If they spot something unusual than he may need to have a biopsy of the affected area. A biopsy is the only way to accurately tell whether a tumor is cancer or not.
yes. There are at least 3 blood test that I know of that can tell if he has cancer. These test are specific to the type cancer they are looking for.
You may look them up Ca 125, Cea and ft something 14. and there is one more I cannot remember. An elevation in any one of these test are indicative of cancer. Ask the Oncologist who would be the one to order these. They are very expensive.
There are many different blood tests to detect different types of cancer, but no "One" test to detect all cancers. If your father has unusual symptoms, they probably don't fit into an easy diagnosis category which is why the doc is ordering so many tests--he is trying to rule-out/rule-in a diagnosis. You can ask him to explain the rational for each %26 what each result means--that way you will have a better understanding of where this is going, and may feel better about some of the possibilities.
There are blood tests called Tumor Markers. However, they are not used to diagnose cancer. They are used in recurring cancer to determine if treatment is working.I'm not sure which cancer you are referring to but if initial tests showed something suspicious then a biopsy needs to be done. If the biopsy is positive the doctor probably ordered CT scans, bone scans, brain scans, and x rays to see if the cancer has spread to the organs and bones. Best of luck to you and your dad.
Although I believe genetic tests are being developed/have been invented to determine the likelihood of developing hereditary cancers, no there isn't one as such for cancer. The blood tests are to determine other factors that may indicate the presence of cancer. For example a low red blood cell count (anemia) may suggest cancer, especially if it is coupled with a high white cell count (soldier cells) and the results of such tests will inform the doctors where to go next with their investigations. Hope this helps, good luck to you and your family.
Yes your doctor should order of PSA and a CA? I think the last one is called that. Ask him about them!!
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