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LAB TEST RESULTS
| Test Information |
| TUMOR MARKERS
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The Tumor Marker Panel can screen for cancer. The test Alpha Fetoprotein (AFP) is a glycoprotein formed in the foetal liver and the yolk sac. Normal adults usually have very low or negligible level. High levels are seen in liver cancer and germ cell tumors of the testis and ovary. But high AFP levels not necessarily is an indication of liver cancer. It is normal and common to see high levels of AFP in pregnant mothers. The levels will vary with the advancement of pregnancy. AFP test is also performed on pregnant women to screen for congenital defects.
Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) is also a glycoprotein present in colorectal cancer, but not all cases will have high levels of CEA. Some other cancer may raise the level of CEA. If the level is high, the test should be repeated at one-month interval. If the level raised is marked, further investigations should follow to confirm diagnosis. It should be noted that CEA levels might be raised in smokers,former smokers, inflammatory bowel disease and some non-cancerous conditions.
EBV EA+EBNA-I IgA Antibody is for the screening of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). It should be noted that for diagnostic purpose, the positive result obtained must be correlated with other clinical and laboratory findings. Absence of antibodies does not exclude the possibility of NPC too |
| STD SCREEN
VDRL test is performed to detect syphilis infection and will only be reactive from 2 to 4 weeks (or longer in certain cases) after infection. VDRL test is not a specific test for syphilis as other conditions, such as viral or bacterial infections, malaria, rheumatoid disease, yaws, autoimmune diseases are known to give false positive reactions. If VDRL is reactive (positive), a confirmatory test, TPHA, must be performed to confirm syphilis infection. TPHA test is done only when VDRL test is positive. It is a test performed to confirm syphilis infection. A diagnosis of syphilis can only be confirmed when both the TPHA and VDRL tests are positive.
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STOOL ANALYSIS
Stool FEME screens for the presence of ova or cysts. Presence of ova or cysts indicates worm or parasitic infestation. Stool Occult Blood (OB) screens for OB in the stool. Presence of OB indicates bleeding from the guts. However, certain food, such as red meat, turnip and cauliflower are known to have caused a false positive result. Piles may also give a false positive result. |
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