Part II - Dealing with the Initial Diagnosis of Cancer k. The importance of obtaining baseline test readings to measured treatment effectiveness
The only way to determine if any particular treatment is effective at reducing cancer is to be sure to have baseline test results to measure against.This may be blood tests for cancer antigen levels such as:
- the CA-125 or PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen)
or tumor market tests such as the following:
- 19-9 test for renal and pancreatic cancer;
- alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test for liver cancer, or
human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) for germ cell tumors, such as testicular cancer and ovarian cancer.
Also critical at the time of initial cancer diagnosis is determining if there are certain genetic characteristics present that either preclude or suggest specific treatment options.The following link is one example of the importance of this type of testing to determine the most effective treatment option: Genetic Testing