title: [The clinical applications of serum tumor markers in gastroenterology].
abstract: Serum tumors markers tests have five potential uses; the value of a given tests depends on its sensitivity and specificity. As a rule tumor markers have no use as screening tests except for alpha-fetoprotein in hepatocarcinoma which value has been established, for monitoring treatment and for detecting relapse. On the other hand the highest value for carcino-embryonic antigen tests lies on the early detection of colonic cancer relapse. Ca 19-9 assay has a high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and a high predictive value in unresectable disease. Low serum Testosterone/dihydrotestosterone ratio is useful in diagnosis pancreatic carcinoma. There is no useful marker for diagnosis of gastric cancer.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Gastroentreología, Instituto Nacional de la Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, México, DF.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: González Martínez
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marín López
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor
vernacular_title: Aplicaciones clínicas de los marcadores tumorales séricos en gastroenterología.