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Blood tests, tumor markers indicators?

Page last modified on: November 20, 2008
Question from Teddy: Is there any progress in the area of blood tests for breast cancer or in the area of tumor markers and recurrence?
Answers —Generosa Grana, M.D., F.A.C.P.: There was a lot of work presented, not in identifying a blood test to help diagnose breast cancer, but rather to use blood tests or bone marrow biopsy results to assess prognosis and treatment effects. Bone marrow biopsies were shown in early-stage breast cancer to allow one to identify cancer cells in the bone marrow at the time of diagnosis in some women with early-stage disease. Whether this will be a test that is of value above and beyond lymph nodes and other tumor features is yet to be determined by ongoing studies.
Marisa Weiss, M.D., president and founder: Do you use this information in your practice?
Generosa Grana, M.D., F.A.C.P.: I do not use bone marrow biopsy testing in early-stage breast cancer patients.

Another area that was looked at is the concept of measuring circulating tumor cells in the blood as a way of predicting outcome and predicting effectiveness of chemotherapy in the women with metastatic or advanced breast cancer. This may give an early measure of ineffectiveness of treatment much sooner than one can achieve by looking at CT scans or similar imaging modalities. Currently I am not using this in clinical practice, but these are interesting tools that may have a role in the next few years.

On Wednesday, December 21, 2005, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Updates from San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2005. Generosa Grana, M.D., F.A.C.P. and moderator Marisa Weiss, M.D. brought you the highlights of the 2005 Breast Cancer Symposium and answered your questions about the latest diagnostic and treatment options for breast cancer.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Generosa Grana, M.D., F.A.C.PGenerosa Grana, M.D., F.A.C.P. is the director of the Cooper Cancer Institute and heads the division of hematology/medical oncology at Cooper University Hospital.

Marisa Weiss, M.D. is a radiation oncologist specializing in breast cancer and the founder, president, and guiding force behind Breastcancer.org.

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