Oncology, cancer, tumor - these words can lead to a stupor, they scare many, often justifiably. But the worst thing is not these definitions themselves and the associative analogies that are attached to them. Terrifying doom is terrible if the disease is in an advanced stage, if the diagnosis was made too late, and metastases developed quickly. Unfortunately, in Russia there is a conviction only of a negatively doomed outcome, while in European countries, cancer is no longer a sentence.
General Provisions
A complete blood count is the most mundane and uncomplicated procedure, the benefits of which are substantial and indicative. The eye of the laboratory assistant is able to immediately recognize the presence of pathology. A more detailed blood test is more informative, but what takes into account the general? Main characteristics:
- hemoglobin level;
- white blood cell count;
- the number of red blood cells and white blood cells;
- erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR);
- platelet count;
What are the deviations from the norm?
Changes in blood counts can differ greatly from the norm in the body of an absolutely healthy person with a common cold. In this case, it is considered completely normal and even mandatory to increase the number of leukocytes that are actively fighting viruses or infection during this period. At this time, donating blood does not make sense, it is better to wait for a full recovery and recovery of the body for an adequate informative "blood picture". Any deviations in the blood test (as with oncology) should be alerted with the patient's visible health. In this case, the physician should discuss in more detail the further course of the examination, because already at this stage the indicators may indicate the presence of tumors, the development of anemia or leukemia.
As a rule, confirmation of oncology during a biochemical analysis of blood is associated with an increased number of leukocytes, decreased platelet counts and hemoglobin, as well as the detection of lympho and myeloid blasts.
Let us dwell in more detail on deviations in individual indicators.
Red blood cells: what is the evidence of a decrease in red blood cells?
These may be manifestations of the following diseases:
- cardiovascular;
- processes of a different nature in the lungs;
- leukemia, lymphocytic leukemia;
- metastasis as secondary formations of a malignant nature.
However, it should be borne in mind that a decrease in red blood cells can occur with vitamin deficiency, stressful situations and physical activity. Therefore, for an adequate assessment of laboratory parameters, the above factors are advised to be excluded before the upcoming analysis.
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
ESR is determined depending on the speed of their separation from the plasma. The increase indicates inflammatory processes and pathologies for the treatment of which anti-inflammatory and antibacterial therapy are effective. This may indicate reversible intoxication of the body or poisoning, or it may be a normal picture characteristic of the postoperative period. If there is no response of the body to treatment, one can suspect such serious diseases:
- tuberculosis, pneumonia;
- syphilis;
- endocarditis;
- malignant formations of different localization.
However, it must be taken into account that a high ESR is not a clear confirmation of the presence of oncology. An important next step is a blood test for tumor markers. Low ESR values ββoccur during fasting and low-carb diets, as well as while taking hydrocortisone, prednisolone, and other corticosteroid drugs.
Hemoglobin
From the school course on anatomy, we know that hemoglobin is involved in the transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the circulatory system, it also controls the pH balance in the blood. A decrease in hemoglobin is observed with large blood loss, in all other cases it should cause concern and anxiety. Indicators downward are characteristic of oncology, especially with leukemia, cancer of the stomach, intestines and lungs. A high level will usually indicate chronic lung disease and heart disease. Such a picture is often characteristic of pilots and climbers, for all the rest it is an inadmissible norm.
A decrease in platelets inevitably leads to a deterioration in blood coagulability - this is typical for some forms of leukemia and liver cancer.
White blood cells
White blood cells protect our body from viruses and infections, cleanse the blood, performing its regenerative function. The appearance of the slightest threat forces them to multiply and defend themselves with all their might in order to resist the disease. Sometimes an increase in women occurs during pregnancy and childbirth, as well as during the menstrual cycle, which is the norm. In other cases, the provocateurs of rapid growth are ongoing processes of various genesis:
- inflammatory, infectious, bacterial or fungal, this is angina, and pneumonia, peritonitis, abscesses, etc .;
- postoperative conditions, trauma;
- cancer formation.
A decrease in blood counts can also be caused by some forms of oncology, in particular leukemia, as well as infections and flu. Therefore, any changes in the blood test in oncology should be interpreted by a specialist, as well as prescribe competent treatment, since each case is different and everything is purely individual.
Possible main reasons for the decline:
- infections: viral hepatitis, typhoid fever, AIDS, flu;
- radiation sickness and its complications;
- bone marrow diseases, etc .;
- some types of oncology.
Tumor markers
A new word in laboratory diagnostics has long and firmly taken on the analysis of tumor markers. Oncomarkers are antigens produced by the human body from cells of a certain malignant genesis.
What will a blood test for oncology show? With a greater degree of probability, he is able to identify the type and determine the nature of the tumor: the indicators will be off scale in the presence of cancer.
This study is also assigned to:
- confirmation or denial of the presence of a tumor;
- determining the location of the tumor, stage of development, size;
- to detect metastasis;
- control and monitoring the effectiveness of the prescribed treatment;
- differentiation of the nature of the tumor.
Watch out for the first signs of cancer
Unfortunately, the statistics of cancer patients in Russia is such that the vast majority seeks help too late: at the stage when the cure is already unlikely or impossible. Do not ignore even the most minor ailments, unlike ordinary overvoltage. After all, it is obvious that with early diagnosis, the curability of the disease, the achievement of remission are extremely high.
What blood tests for oncology should be passed, the attending oncologist will tell.
Most tumors in the early stages may not manifest themselves in any way, and a person may feel completely healthy, and only the results of a blood test can alert an experienced specialist. Oncologists call this the "precancerous stage." Therefore, it is so important to monitor changes in indicators in a blood test for oncology. The sooner the pathology is diagnosed, the greater the chance of recovery.
When you need to donate blood for oncology
Any problems in the body are reflected in the blood test. In order to prevent the onset or progression of pathological processes of a malignant nature, it is necessary to take a general blood test for oncology, especially:
- in inflammatory processes: protracted, chronic and not treatable;
- in the absence of an organism's response to drug therapy;
- with a clear decrease in immunity;
- with frequent subfebrile body temperature;
- with a sharp inexplicable weight loss;
- with the development of malaise, weakness and powerlessness, asthenia and depression;
- for prophylaxis at least once a year.
Blood preparation
There are a number of generally accepted rules and recommendations that must be followed before blood donation in order to avoid errors and distortion of the result:
- blood is given strictly on an empty stomach (at least 8 hours before the start of the study);
- mental and physical stress should be avoided, the emotional state should be normalized (this is especially important when donating blood to hormones, cortisol, in particular);
- a few days before blood donation, try to exclude fatty foods and alcohol from the diet;
- refrain from taking medication on the day of the analysis or follow the instructions of your doctor.
On the day of the examination, the use of plain still water is allowed.
Can oncology be determined by a blood test?
It is impossible to give a definite answer to this question. A blood test shows abnormalities. Changes indicate that not everything is in order with the body, and it requires a more detailed examination. And if the indicators were not subject to distortion due to a recent illness, drunk alcohol or a smoked cigarette the day before, even in this case everything is purely individual, and it is incorrect to knowingly diagnose cancer. The decoding of a blood test for oncology should be entrusted to your oncologist, who has become familiar with your medical history. Immediately, he can prescribe specific markers for cancer, which will definitely confirm or refute all suspicions.
What's next
If tumor markers are detected in the blood to determine the further course of treatment, the doctor prescribes additional examinations: this can be an ultrasound scan, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, biopsy. It is also necessary to remember and take into account that the blood counts of the same person are different, depending on the period of time. Here dynamics and control are important, and conducting a general blood test in oncology will become the most common frequent and mandatory routine, without which treatment is impossible.
Due to the fact that a specific tumor, depending on the affected area, releases its specific antigens, an increase in the increase in these antigens allows us to determine how fast the development of oncopathology is and to make a possible prognosis for the patient. Accidental detection of tumor markers with the patientβs visible health and the absence of clinical symptoms of the disease can significantly increase the chances of recovery, and with a non-aggressive form of cancer, it can guarantee a complete cure.
Specific tumor cells and tumor localization. Uterus and Ovarian Cancer
CA 125 is a tumor marker that is defined for endometrial cancer of the uterus or ovaries. The level of this oncogen is significantly increased in cancer patients. Clarification of the diagnosis is carried out using ultrasound and vaginal examination, as well as taking a biopsy.
Gastrointestinal Cancer
CA 72-4, CA 19-9 - the identification of these tumor markers signals the ongoing processes of a malignant nature in the gastrointestinal tract. An accurate diagnosis is made after CT, MRI, biopsy, PGF, colonoscopy.
Breast cancer
CA 15-3 - this tumor marker is detected in women with breast cancer.
Prostate cancer
PSA - excess of the enzyme above normal, i.e. 30 units in a blood test may indicate oncology. In this case, it is recommended to observe the dynamics of the blood results. Indicators below the norm also require additional diagnostics. The norms of blood analysis for oncology of the prostate are different depending on the age of the man. It is very important to consider this. The indicators of a blood test for oncology in a patient aged 40-49 should be within 2.5 ng / ml, any deviations are a serious cause for concern.
Lung cancer
Oncomarkers CEA, NSE and CYFRA 21-1 can signal the presence of malignant tumors in the lungs.
Liver cancer: symptoms, blood test
In the early stages, liver cancer manifests itself as nausea and vomiting, discomfort in the right hypochondrium, lack of appetite and progressive weight loss, constipation and diarrhea, constant weakness and malaise, hyperthermia and chills. Jaundice, bleeding, and anemia gradually appear, fluid accumulates in the abdominal cavity, and signs of intoxication of the body appear on the face.
Detection in the blood of CEA, a cancer-embryonic antigen, may indicate the presence of cancer cells in the liver. However, it should be borne in mind that an increase in this indicator is observed in smokers and in streets that abuse alcohol. Therefore, to clarify the diagnosis, an MRI is necessary.
An increase in AFP - embryonic glycoprotein also indicates the development of hepatic pathology. New tumor markers are being developed that facilitate and accelerate the diagnosis of cancer.
It is very important to listen to your body, scrupulously, but without fanaticism, to monitor your health and respond to any failures or malfunctions. Ideally, annual preventive examinations should be systematic and become the norm. And a general blood test for the detection of oncology is the most affordable, and, at the same time, informative type of study. Just looking at the blood results, an experienced specialist can immediately say whether there are any deviations and anomalies in human health, and whether additional examinations are needed if everything is not in order with the body.