title: New techniques for detecting tumor markers: a prospective.
abstract: The search continues for biomarkers in body fluids that can identify the presence of otherwise undetectable tumors. Presently tumor biomarkers can be useful in monitoring neoplastic disease during and after therapy, although their role in early diagnosis is less certain. The value of each tumor biomarker in each clinical situation can be estimated by its concentration in biofluids, the sensitivity of the detection techniques, and the specificity of its in vivo and in vitro activities. A wide range of new multidisciplinary biotechnologies applied to tumor biomarkers promises additional and improved assays for highly sensitive and specific detections of human neoplasia. These new assays will have the potential for making accurate estimations of initial tumor burden, micrometastasis, and residual and occult tumor cells remaining after surgery.
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000032:analysis* / Q000175:diagnosis; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D002116:Calcitonin