The clinical usefulness and limitations of tumor markers.

This state-of-the-art review identifies the clinical usefulness and limitations of currently available tumor markers. The role of specific tumor markers in screening, assessing extent of disease and monitoring the response of the tumor to antineoplastic therapy is discussed. Recent technologic advances, including monoclonal antibodies and genetic analysis, may identify additional tumor markers and provide insight into the developmental process of neoplasia by characterizing the biologic changes associated with malignant disease.