What are cancer blood parameters?

From the Guidelines

Cancer blood parameters are specific measurements in blood tests that help detect, diagnose, and monitor cancer, including complete blood count (CBC) parameters, tumor markers, blood chemistry panels, and newer methods like circulating tumor cells and cell-free DNA tests. These parameters are crucial for screening, diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and detecting recurrence, and are typically used alongside other diagnostic tools like imaging and biopsies.

Key Parameters

• Complete blood count (CBC) parameters like hemoglobin, white blood cell count, and platelet count, which may show anemia, infection, or bleeding issues common in cancer patients 1
• Tumor markers such as PSA for prostate cancer, CA-125 for ovarian cancer, CEA for colorectal cancer, and AFP for liver cancer can indicate cancer presence or recurrence 1
• Blood chemistry panels measure liver enzymes, kidney function, and electrolytes, which may be affected by cancer or treatments 1
• Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and C-reactive protein (CRP) can indicate cancer activity or inflammation 1
• Circulating tumor cells and cell-free DNA tests are newer methods that detect cancer cells or DNA in the bloodstream, with extracellular vesicles offering advantages over current blood biopsy diagnostic methods, including longer-term stability and higher numbers in the blood 1

Recommendations

• The use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) may be offered to patients with chemotherapy-associated anemia whose cancer treatment is not curative in intent and whose HgB has declined to < 10 g/dL 1
• Baseline assessment of hematologic, hepatic, and renal function is essential to assess prognosis, to predict response to therapy, and for safety 1
• Extracellular vesicles may provide a more sensitive assay system for early diagnosis, and their addition to CTC detection and cfDNA diagnostics may increase positive diagnosis and detection of cancer biomarkers 1

From the Research

Cancer Blood Parameters

Cancer blood parameters are substances in the blood that can be used to detect, diagnose, or monitor cancer. These parameters include:

• Tumor markers, such as:
  • Cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) 2, 3, 4
  • Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) 2, 5, 6, 3
  • Tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) 2, 3
  • Human chorionic gonadotropin, beta subunit (beta-hCG) 2
  • Placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) 3
• Inflammatory biomarkers, such as:
  • Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) 4
  • Platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) 4

Uses of Cancer Blood Parameters

These parameters can be used for:

• Detecting cancer, particularly in its early stages 5, 4
• Monitoring cancer treatment and progression 2, 6, 3
• Identifying patients at high risk of cancer recurrence 2
• Distinguishing between different types of cancer, such as borderline and malignant epithelial ovarian tumors 4

Limitations of Cancer Blood Parameters

While cancer blood parameters can be useful tools in cancer diagnosis and management, they also have limitations, such as:

• Low sensitivity and specificity, particularly for certain types of cancer 5, 4
• Potential for false positives or false negatives 5, 6
• Influence of non-cancerous factors, such as smoking or inflammatory diseases 5