Blood Tests & Tumor Diagnostic Tests

The article goes over what you will find in a pathology report.

A tumor marker is a substance that is produced by a cancer or by the body itself because cancer is present. Tumor markers are commonly used in cancer care to monitor treatment response or for recurrence of cancer, but they must considered along with things like physical exams, patient symptoms, and radiology studies.

The complete blood count (CBC) is a blood test used to check a person’s general health. A CBC may be ordered as part of a routine exam or as part of a work-up when a person is having issues such as feeling tired, bleeding or infection.

A comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) is a blood test. It tests up to 14 values. It is used to see how organs like your kidneys and liver are working.

Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT) are a group of tests that check how well your lungs are working. These tests measure your lung capacity (how much air your lungs hold), how quickly you inhale (breathe air in), and how quickly you exhale (breathe air out). They also look at how much oxygen you inhale and how much carbon dioxide you exhale.

LFTs are a group of tests that are looked at to see how healthy the liver is, any causes of illness and how serious the illness is. LFTs are performed by taking a sample of blood.

LDH levels can indicate if there is cancer or another disease destroying cells in the body.

This article provides an overview of measurable/minimal residual disease testing and its use in the treatment of leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

A treatment decision tool is used to help you learn more about your choices when it comes to your cancer treatment plan.

Circulating Tumor DNA (ctDNA) means that fragments (parts) of your tumor are in your blood. ctDNA testing is a blood test that can help find cancer.