2006-06-08 16:02:37 · 6 answers · asked by k j 1 in Health ➔ Men's Health
I know prostate cancer can be detected with a blood test. Not sure about any others
2006-06-08 16:07:18 · answer #1 · answered by andrea r 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Raised level of CarcinoEmbronic Antigen (CEA) is associated with some cancers (and possibly a few other conditions, too.) To find where the cancer is, you can use imaging such as MRI + / or tissue = specific tests, which measure the iso- enzymes released by different organs. An example would be the test for a set of "cardiac enzymes" to determine if chest pain was a result of a myocardial infacrt or not.
So, if you had raised "liver enzymes" for example, the tumour (or whatever it is causing damage) is affecting the liver.
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is raised in cases of prostate cancer, but also in some other conditions. You might need biopsy, as well as imaging techniques, to work out what is upsetting the prostate.
Increases of certain blood cells (and decreases in others) can be due to bone marrow malignancy, or lymphatic malignancy; leukaemia or lymphomas. Decrease of all blood cells and platelets can be due to other tpes of tumours invading the bone marrow spaces, too.
And so on .........
:-)
So blood tests can be useful, though not giving all the info needed.
2006-06-08 23:46:14 · answer #2 · answered by J_F_(Self Service Science Forum) 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually there will be a raise in white blood cells which indicates the body is fighting an infection or something it thinks is an infection. Also, there are many other tests they do to determine whether u have cancer or not b-4 they start biopsying and doing more invasive things.
2006-06-08 23:07:37 · answer #3 · answered by XXXDirtyDirtyGirlXXX 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are so many cancers out there that not every cancer has a blood test...leukemia, prostate cancer, are two cancers that can be diagnosed through blood tests...but biopsies, scans, xrays, physical exams..the tests are endless and necessary to rule out or to diagnose cancer. If this is concerning you please start by making an appointment with your doctor to talk about your concerns..
2006-06-08 23:07:45 · answer #4 · answered by FloNightingGale 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There will be characteristics in the blood that would indicate cancer.
2006-06-08 23:07:05 · answer #5 · answered by oman396 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
2006-06-08 23:13:03 · answer #6 · answered by Meeshell 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋