title: Considerations in using tumor markers: what the psycho-oncologist needs to know.
abstract: Tumor markers are measures of biological features of a cancer. By revealing important biological aspects of the tumor, tumor markers can be useful in staging patients, predicting cancer outcomes, and guiding treatments. The psychological consequences of using tumor markers are virtually unknown. In this review article, we draw on clinical studies involving the psychological impact of risk information, screening, prognostic information and surveillance of cancer. Such studies may be helpful in considering possible psychological reactions to tumor marker information in clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. debralynn@mindspring.com
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Fertig
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Hayes
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology*; D005239:Fear; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000592:standards; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D018579:Patient Selection; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor