China News Service, Beijing, February 9 (Zhang Yilin) ​​With the popularization of health examinations, some people have found elevated tumor markers in the physical examination, or found that "nodules" appear somewhere in the body. Cysts", "hyperplasia" and so on.

Some people worry that elevated tumor markers are not cancer?

What is a nodular cyst?

Data map: Outpatient building of a hospital.

Photo by China News Agency reporter Yin Liqin

What are the common tumor markers?

　　According to Li Jing, an attending physician at the Department of Health and Medicine of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, tumor markers are substances detected in the blood that are related to the occurrence and development of tumors.

　　There are a wide range of tumor markers. Commonly used tumor markers for physical examination include prostate specific antigen PSA, alpha-fetoprotein AFP, carcinoembryonic antigen CEA, and carbohydrate antigens CA199, CA125, etc.

　　In addition, there are some indicators whose names are not related to tumors, such as ferritin, M protein, etc., which may also be related to tumors.

　　Currently, definitively used for screening, effective tumor markers are PSA and AFP.

Data map.

Abnormal tumor markers ≠ cancer

　　According to doctors, men over the age of 40 can regularly check PSA for prostate cancer screening, while those with a history of chronic hepatitis and an increased risk of liver cancer should check AFP regularly.

　　In addition, people with a family history of hereditary tumors and an increased risk of ovarian cancer or pancreatic cancer can also check CA125 and CA199, but tumor markers cannot replace imaging tests or endoscopy.

　　There is only a correlation between tumor markers and tumors, and most of them are not one-to-one.

That is to say, if you have a tumor, it is not necessarily elevated, and if it is elevated, it is not necessarily a tumor.

　　It should be noted that one is a significant increase, which has increased several times, and the other is getting higher and higher. It is necessary to combine imaging examinations to find possible tumors.

　　Therefore, don’t be nervous when you find that the tumor markers are elevated, let alone seek medical advice online. You should listen to professional advice, improve the inspections you should do, and then dynamically observe the changes.

Are hyperplasias, cysts, and nodules the same?

　　In addition, the doctor said that for the descriptions of hyperplasia, cysts, and nodules that are often seen in physical examination reports, the potential risks of lesions in different parts are different, and it is impossible to generalize.

　　For example, breast hyperplasia is a normal manifestation of breasts in women of childbearing age, and cysts are generally benign, so there is no need to worry too much.

　　The same cysts, sometimes appearing in the kidneys and ovaries, also have the risk of potential malignancy.

　　In order to standardize the description, breast, thyroid, and lung nodules will be graded, and if it is above grade 4, attention should be paid.

　　Li Jing emphasized that it is necessary to pay attention to the comparison of medical reports over the years.

For newly discovered cysts and nodules, it is necessary to increase the frequency of observation, and go to the hospital for a re-examination in about 3 months to observe the changes in size.

　　In addition, polyps are lesions that grow on the mucosa and can appear in the gallbladder and gastrointestinal tract.

　　Gastrointestinal polyps have the potential to become malignant and should be removed.

For polyps in the gallbladder, generally 1cm is the standard, and those larger than 1cm are considered to be removed. Polyps that grow too fast also need to be treated.

　　In general, the physical examination report involves physical examination, inspection, and inspection, and the terms are complicated. It is not recommended for everyone to search on the Internet.

　　The doctor said that the regular medical examination institutions will take the initiative to notify the guests when they find highly suspicious signs, that is, high-risk abnormal values.

　　Doctors are also encouraged to have face-to-face consultation with the doctor after obtaining the medical report. After learning about the personal situation, they can give more accurate suggestions.

(Finish)