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Biomarkers in Oncology

Diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive markers across cancer care

Written by: Saygı Hospital Health Guide Editorial Board
Last updated:

This content has been compiled by the Saygı Hospital Health Guide Editorial Board and is periodically reviewed by a specialist physician.

References (5)

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. You can book an appointment at our Onkoloji department. Book Appointment →

What is Biomarkers in Oncology?

Oncology biomarkers are measurable molecular, cellular, or imaging features that provide information about cancer presence, behavior, or therapy response. They are categorized as diagnostic, prognostic, predictive, or pharmacodynamic.

Examples include serum tumor markers (PSA, CA-125, CA 19-9, AFP, hCG), immunohistochemistry (HER2, ER/PR, PD-L1), gene mutations (EGFR, BRAF, KRAS), fusions (ALK, ROS1, NTRK), and signatures (Oncotype DX, MammaPrint, MSI, TMB). Each has specific indications, performance, and limitations.

Biomarker results must be interpreted in context, considering pre-test probability, assay performance, and clinical correlation. Single biomarkers rarely act in isolation; molecular tumor boards and multidisciplinary teams integrate biomarker data with imaging and pathology to guide decisions.

Symptoms

Used for diagnosis, prognosis, therapy selection, monitoring
Measured in blood, urine, tumor tissue, bone marrow
Reported quantitatively or qualitatively
Trend over time often more useful than single values
Not a substitute for clinical assessment and imaging

Risk Factors

Most cancers have one or more relevant biomarkers
Hereditary cancer syndromes have specific germline biomarkers
Some biomarkers are tumor-agnostic across many cancer types
Treatment-induced changes may alter biomarker patterns

When to See a Doctor?

If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention promptly:

  • At cancer diagnosis to guide initial workup
  • Before starting systemic therapy
  • During follow-up to monitor response or detect recurrence
  • When discordant clinical or imaging findings appear

Treatment Methods

01
Serum tumor marker assays with serial trending
02
Immunohistochemistry for receptor and marker expression
03
Next-generation sequencing for mutations, fusions, signatures
04
Liquid biopsy for circulating tumor DNA
05
Multigene prognostic and predictive signatures
06
Molecular tumor board interpretation
07
Integration with imaging, pathology, and clinical data

Which Department to Visit?

You can visit our Onkoloji department for these complaints. Our specialist physicians will create the most suitable treatment plan for you.

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Health Disclaimer: The information on this page is prepared for general informational purposes only. It does not replace medical diagnosis and treatment. Please consult your physician for your complaints. Saygı Hospital does not accept responsibility for actions taken based on the information on this page.