Oncology is a dangerous problem. Many people die every year due to this disease. The fourth known cause of death is ovarian cancer. Moreover, mortality is highest in economically developed areas. Cancer can be cured if detected in the early stages of development. The tumor marker of HE4 epithelial ovarian cancer will help. What is the norm of this indicator will be described below.
About this type of cancer
The signs of the disease are often difficult to recognize, since they are directly related to the tumor formation in the appendages and therefore are fuzzy. According to information provided by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the five-year survival rate for patients with ovarian cancer in the final stages is approximately 46%. But if you identify the disease in the initial stages, then the survival rate will increase to 94%. Modern research gives people a chance to fight this disease. The onset of the malignant process at the initial stages in the study of tumor markers is revealed. With increasing their level, doctors are sounding the alarm. In this article, we consider the HE4 tumor marker.
Definition of tumor marker
In the human body there are substances in a small volume, which are called tumor markers. They participate in various physiological and biochemical formations and are not dangerous in the quantitative norm. Everything will be different if their volume begins to increase. This indicates the likelihood of malignancy. For example, to determine ovarian cancer, the oncomarker CA-125 is most often used. But later it turned out that the HE4 tumor marker more accurately determines oncology.
This is a serous protein that blocks the enzyme proteinases, which means "human protein - four appendages." In the required small amount, it is located in the testicles and functions in the production of sperm. It is also found in the respiratory structure, fallopian tube and in the mucous membranes. But how exactly it functions and how it acts on individual pepsins is still not clear.
Indications for analysis
In a small volume, the HE4 tumor marker can be in any woman. Its volume increases with diseases such as:
- Ovarian cancer.
- Oncology of the endometrium.
- Breast cancer.
- Lungs' cancer.
Benefits of HE4
At the same time, the HE4 tumor marker means already a malignant process. It can not be determined with a benign process or inflammation of the ovaries. This shows how effective HE4 is.
Its predecessor, the tumor marker CA-125, is also aimed at recognizing cancer, but it has a small accuracy of determination. That is, the volume of CA-125 becomes larger in the last stages with the correct diagnosis. And the volume of HE4 increases approximately three years before the exact definition of the disease.
Accordingly, with the help of research, cancer can be detected at an early stage, while symptoms have not yet manifested. Despite this, the decoding of the HE4 tumor marker is not used to study formations in the ovary region. It cannot recognize the germinogenic and mucoid form of cancer.
HE4 is used to monitor women who have already begun treatment. Accordingly, if this analysis is no longer made during treatment, then the therapy used is successfully passing.
By the amount of this tumor marker, it is possible to determine the process of formation of secondary foci of tumor growth as a result of the divergence of cells from the original focus to neighboring tissues or its renewal.
Testing on HE4
The causes of high mortality due to cancer are the definition of the disease in the last stages of its development. With the HE4 test, cancer can be detected early on, reducing the likelihood of death. The tumor marker can be detected in blood taken from a vein. For the correct analysis, you must:
- Donate blood strictly on an empty stomach or four to five hours after eating. You can drink water, but coffee or juices are not recommended.
- If possible, do not take any medicine a few days (days 3-4) before taking the test.
- Do not drink or smoke before taking the test.
- Women who have begun treatment are tested every three months. In the future, one or two times will be enough for verification.
In some cases, the examination is prescribed to children. They need to drink boiled water for half an hour before taking the test. The average volume of drinking water should be 150-200 ml.
Women should be tested if pain occurs in the pelvic area, the menstrual cycle is disturbed, and appetite is lowered.
In the study, it is important to identify a high level of tumor marker.
HE4 tumor marker: transcript
The norm depends on the gender, age of the patient. After the blood is passed for analysis, you must wait. The result will be ready in a couple of days.
The HE4 volume is recognized by a special chemoluminescent study.
The bottom line is this: a certain reaction of labeled compounds and the desired 4th protein occurs. Then there is a change of all their inherent properties. The catalyst starts a glow reaction. Now, using instrumental methods, the tumor marker level is determined and calculated.
Norms of men and women
The normal volume of protein-4 in women during premenopause is not more than 70 Pmol / L, and after menopause it is slightly less than or equal to 140 Pmol / L. The larger these indications, the greater the likelihood of ovarian cancer.
But you should definitely know that there are age norms, that is, depending on age, the data changes. Therefore, it is better to find out all the information from your doctor. This is what the HE4 tumor marker shows.
There is the following interesting fact. When decoding HE4, we obtained the following data: a third of the female half of the population has elevated rates of this tumor marker, but CA-125 most often remains in the acceptable norm.
What is the norm of this indicator in men? It is at a level of 4 ng / ml and below. You should beware if very high rates are found. This may indicate the development of a dangerous oncological disease in the body.
There is a change in the norm with age. After forty years in men, the norm will be 2-2.5 ng / ml, after sixty years - 4.5-6.5 ng / ml.
Statistics show that more and more men of different ages seek medical help. They have increased tumor markers in the blood and there is a pathology of the prostate gland.
Analysis Error
It should be borne in mind that the analysis of the tumor marker itself is not a basis for confirming or refuting oncology. Nevertheless, it is more correct to use HE4 with other analyzes. It is best to explore it with the SA-125. And also conduct a variety of types of diagnostics, both laboratory and instrumental.
Sometimes the high value of HE4 tumor markers is caused by a non-malignant process. The analysis will have a false positive result when:
- the presence of a systemic hereditary disease, which is explained by a change in the transmembrane regulator gene;
- the presence of other inflammation of the urogenital structure;
- chronic renal failure;
- ovarian cyst;
- myoma.
How to recognize cancer symptoms?
At the slightest disturbance in the body, you must consult a doctor. He will schedule an oncomarker for HE4 epithelial ovarian cancer. The norm or deviation from it will be detected quickly. At first, symptoms may be completely absent. But in any case, the analysis should be carried out with:
- irregularities in the ovaries and menstruation problems in women;
- acute pelvic pain;
- deterioration in overall health with reduced appetite;
- sudden and unreasonable weight loss;
- apathy.
When confirming the diagnosis, you do not need to panic, because cancer is now being successfully treated. Of course, this is a test, but you can deal with it and get out of the fight as a winner.
Self-medication is unacceptable, relying only on the advice of a specialist.
It will take patience and strength, because therapy is hard work, which has a long and unpleasant character.
Conclusion
An erroneous result can be if the tumor does not produce HE4 or if it is not available for determination.
Despite the fact that the analysis will show, you should not get upset and establish a diagnosis for yourself ahead of time. Medical specialists can determine the disease and prescribe a course of treatment, but only after a full examination.