Melanoma markers
Cancer markers (also called tumor markers) are substances produced by the body in response to cancer, or by the tumor itself. In some patients with cancer these substances can be measured, usually in the blood or urine. Different cancers produce different markers.
Markers are not a sure sign that cancer is present. But they can be helpful to doctors in diagnosing some types of cancer, or in tracking a patient’s response to treatment. In some cases they can also be used to see whether a cancer has come back after treatment.
Doctors are very interested in finding markers that could be used in melanoma. A lot of research is going on to identify potential markers and see whether they can give useful information. Markers are often studied as part of clinical trials. However, except for a marker called LDH they do not yet play a part in routine melanoma treatment in most hospitals and clinics.
LDH stands for lactate dehydrogenase. High levels of this chemical in the blood may be a sign that the cancer has spread.
