The clinical use of tumor makers in select cancers: are you confident enough to discuss them with your patients?
OBJECTIVE
To review the clinical use of tumor markers in select cancers and highlight future directions in tumor marker development.


METHODS
Guidelines from national and international societies, scientific literature, and Internet resources.


RESULTS
Tumor markers are important tools in the management of cancer. Sequencing of the human genome has led to new tumor marker development in the fields of proteomics and DNA microarray technologies.


CONCLUSIONS
Tumor marker technology is expanding rapidly; almost a dozen tumor markers currently are being used in the oncology arena, with many more in development. The use of tumor markers can be controversial, particularly because guidelines have not been established for all of the markers.


CONCLUSIONS
Oncology nurses need to be well versed in the use of tumor markers to educate and counsel patients with cancer.
Sanchez Yamamoto
Deanna
D
Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, San Jose, CA, USA. deanna.yamamoto@hhs.co.santa-clara.ca.us
Hallquist Viale
Pamela
P
Roesser
Karen
K
Lin
Albert
A
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000451:nursing; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000175:diagnosis; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor