A mesothelioma diagnosis is hard to receive and can be very overwhelming. Different research outcomes can help doctors and patients make better decisions though. One area of research is blood-based biomarkers. Two biomarkers that can help monitor mesothelioma include mesothelin-related protein (SMRP) and cancer antigen 125 (CA-125). They help monitor mesothelioma progression. A new article published in Thoracic Cancer gives advice to patients and caregivers related to these biomarkers.
SMRP and CA-125 are biomarkers found in the blood. They both provide information about the progression and presence of pleural mesothelioma. SMRP levels are usually elevated in patients with pleural mesothelioma, especially those with epithelioid and biphasic histology. CA-125 levels indicate the presence of abdominal recurrences. The biomarker could be especially helpful in diagnosing the spread to the abdominal cavity.
When someone receives pleurectomy and decortication surgery, it is important to monitor SMRP and CA-125 levels. They should be monitored before and after surgery. Tests like this can show disease progression and recurrence. Studies point to changes in SMRP levels meaning local recurrence has happened while CA-125 levels could signal lymphatic or abdominal recurrence. It is important to track changes in SMRP and CA-125 levels after surgery. A drop in SMRP levels followed by an increase later could mean disease recurrence. High CA-125 levels could indicate abdominal recurrence. Monitoring the levels over time is key. It helps with the early detection of recurrence and guides follow up care for the patient.
Blood based biomarkers are an important tool for managing pleural mesothelioma. They, however, are only one tool in the arsenal to fight cancer. Developing a treatment plan is also important. This could mean getting surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation to help fight cancer. Regular checkups and imaging are an important step in managing and tracking someone’s condition. It is also important to stay informed about mesothelioma research and treatments. One thing someone can do is join clinical trials. Clinical trials are an important part of the cancer treatment process. They offer cutting edge treatments to those suffering from rare and hard to treat cancers. All of these can help someone take an active role in their cancer treatment journey and could help them make the best health decisions for themselves.
Biomarkers like SMRP and CA-125 help track the progress of a patient’s mesothelioma. Understanding the role of these biomarkers can help patients and caregivers understand their cancer as well. They are also useful for post-surgery monitoring of the cancer.
