Does an elevated tumor marker necessarily mean that I have a tumor? How high is a tumor marker? Tumor markers are usually tested in hospitals for liver cancer, prostate cancer, bowel cancer, lung cancer and other tumors. There are two levels of elevated tumor markers: those that are slightly above normal are considered mildly elevated; those that are significantly elevated are often referred to as meaningful elevations by doctors. The following table lists the common tumor markers used in health checkups, the corresponding possible tumor sites, the normal levels of the markers, and the elevated values that are generally considered to be meaningful. As we can see, when tumor markers are mildly elevated, they are not necessarily “meaningful” even if they are above normal levels. In other words, it means that an elevated tumor marker does not necessarily mean that there is a tumor. What are the causes of elevated tumor markers? One point to emphasize is that tumor markers can be elevated in people who do not have tumors. Mildly elevated tumor markers may be due to the presence of some other non-tumor diseases in the body. For example, a higher than normal level of alpha-fetoprotein AFP may be due to hepatitis, cirrhosis or pregnancy, but not necessarily liver cancer. An elevated PSA may be due to inflammation of the prostate gland, but not necessarily prostate cancer. It may be due to pancreatitis, cholecystitis or hepatitis, but not necessarily pancreatic cancer. What should I do if I find elevated tumor markers? Elevated tumor markers can be due to benign problems such as infections, smoking, etc., or they can be due to malignant tumors. There are many ways to help distinguish whether this elevation is caused by malignant tumor, but not everyone needs further testing immediately. 1. Who needs further examination? Who are the “high-risk group” with a higher possibility of developing tumor? The following three aspects can help us determine: whether a close relative has a tumor: a mother or other female relatives in the family with a history of breast cancer are in the high-risk group for breast cancer. Whether you have been exposed to foreign substances that can easily cause cancer: The likelihood of developing cancer is significantly higher if you have smoked or been exposed to second-hand smoke, consumed alcohol, eaten pickled and smoked food, or been exposed to radiation or chemical toxins due to work. Whether there are self factors with high incidence of cancer: including older age, suffering from hepatitis B, chronic atrophic gastritis, etc. For those who are at high risk of developing tumor, when there is an elevated tumor marker, the risk of having tumor in the body is relatively high and should be further examined. We can choose corresponding examinations according to the relevant parts of the tumor markers, including chest CT, abdominal CT, breast ultrasound, prostate ultrasound, endoscopy, etc., and consult with oncology specialists as soon as possible. 2. Beware of the body’s “early warning signals” It is also important to remind you that even if the tumor markers are completely normal, tumors cannot be absolutely excluded. In addition to the above mentioned methods of determining tumor risk groups, we also need to combine our own symptoms, which are called “alarm symptoms”. For example, long-term coughing and phlegm may only be a manifestation of chronic bronchitis; however, if blood appears in the phlegm recently, or if it is accompanied by chest pain and weight loss, we should be alert to the possibility of lung cancer. When alarm symptoms appear, the possibility of tumor in the body increases, so you should also go to the oncology specialist for further examination in time. 3.What should I do if I don’t belong to the high-risk group? If you do not belong to the high-risk group, and you do not feel any discomfort, and the tumor markers are only mildly elevated, the possibility of having tumor in your body is relatively low. We can choose to improve our lifestyle, such as quit smoking, quit drinking, pay attention to diet and regular work and rest, and then recheck the tumor markers and improve the above mentioned tests if necessary.