The Role of Tumour Markers on the Detection and Monitoring of Cancer

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would first like to express my gratitude for my research supervisor, colleagues, peers and family whose immense and constant support has been a source of continuous guidance and inspiration.

DECLARATION

I [type your full first names & surname here], declare that the following dissertation/thesis and its entire content has been an individual, unaided effort and has not been submitted or published before. Furthermore, it reflects my opinion and take on the topic and is does not represent the opinion of the University.

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ABSTRACT

Tumour markers are now being extensively used in the detection and diagnosis of cancer. Characteristics and usage of tumour markers are also discussed in this short dissertation. This dissertation was basically based on literature review related to the topic. All the studies selected fro this particular paper had used qualitative research approach. By measuring the amount of a tumour marker or more tumour markers present in the blood, one can estimate the number of cancer cells in the body.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTi

DECLARATIONii

ABSTRACTiii

INTRODUCTION1

Background of the Study1

Research Question2

Cancer Diagnosis2

Types of Tumours3

CRITICAL ANALYSIS5

Tumour Markers5

Screening and early detection of cancer7

Usage of Tumour Markers in Cancer Diagnosis8

Determining the prognosis for certain cancers8

Characteristics of the tumour marker9

Tumour Suppressor Gene9

Threshold value of tumour marker10

CONCLUSION11

Summary11

REFERENCES13

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Cancer is an abnormality, a disorder that affects the cells of our body. Our body is composed of a multitude of cells; each specialised in a specific function, such as filter impurities from the blood (renal cell) or transport oxygen throughout the body (blood cells) (Blau, 2009, 137). These cells have their life cycle: Every day, thousands of them die (known as apoptosis, i.e. programmed cell death) and are replaced by new cells. The cells renew themselves by dividing. When we talk about a type of cancer cell multiplies an abnormal and uncontrolled. There are over one hundred forms of cancer, the severity varies. All parts of the body can be affected. Cancer takes place when the transformed cells of the body (cell form) to the abnormal cells are divided without control or order (Hartwell, 2010, 99).

It consists of each element in the human body from various types of cells that are usually divided in a systematic manner to produce more cells as needed to compensate for the damaged cells and maintain the survival of the body in broad health. These cells are closer to the bricks in the idea that it consists of any building and the total cell consists of building a full right (Harris, 2007, 52). Cancer is a genetic disease because the changes occur in particular genes; however, in most of the cases, cancer is not caused because of inheritance. When cancer is inherited, there is some defect in the genes of a parent or both the parents, which is then transmitted to the zygote. Moreover, when alterations occur in the genes causing cancer, the changed occur in the DNA of the somatic cells throughout the lifespan of the affected ...