Definition of tumor marker - NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms

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tumor marker (TOO-mer ...)

A substance that may be found in tumor tissue or released from a tumor into the blood or other body fluids. A high level of a tumor marker may mean that a certain type of cancer is in the body. Examples of tumor markers include CA 125 (in ovarian cancer), CA 15-3 (in breast cancer), CEA (in ovarian, lung, breast, pancreas, and gastrointestinal tract cancers), and PSA (in prostate cancer).

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Next Definitions:	tumor microenvironment, tumor model, tumor necrosis factor, tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 10A, tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 10B