General Information on Lab Tests
Interpreting Laboratory
Test Results (NCI Cancer Facts)
Brief, basic information on laboratory tests and how they are
used. Aimed at patients. [1/03]
Blood Counts
Blood
Counts (Oncolink)
Comprehensive patient guide to understanding how chemotherapy affects
blood counts. Describes the different kinds of blood cells. Discusses
neutropenia (low white cell count); thrombocytopenia (low level of platelets);
and anemia (low red cell count). [1/01]
Tumor Markers
Role
of Serum Tumor Markers CA 125 and CEA in NSCLC (PubMed)
Abstract of a study reported in the March/April issue of Anticancer
Research that found CA 125 and CEA can be indicators of disease extent,
a useful clinical therapeutic marker, and may potentially have important
prognostic value in NSCLC patients. [4/01]
Tumor Markers
(NCI Cancer Facts)
Discusses tumor markers -- what they are and how they may used to assess
a cancer's response to treatment and to check for recurrence. Describes
the most commonly measured tumor markers. Does not mention any markers
used for lung cancer, although it notes that pleural inflammation can
case elevated CA 125 levels. [4/98]
Tumor
Markers and Lung Cancer - Recent MEDLINE Abstracts
Drug Resistance (Chemosensitivity)
Testing
ASCO
Does Not Support Routine Drug Sensitivity and Resistance Assays (Medscape)
News release summarizing the report of the ASCO Working Group on
Chemotherapy Sensitivity and Resistance Assays based on a review of the
medical literature: ASCO recommends against the use of chemotherapy sensitivity
and resistance assays (CSRAs), outside of clinical trials, to select chemotherapeutic
agents for individual patients. [8/04]
Patients' Perspectives
on Cell Culture Drug Resistance Assays (yana.org)
Provides a patient perspective on the use of cell drug resistance
assays to select potential chemotherapy treatments. Notes several reasons
why cell drug resistance assays have not been adopted as standard tests.
Offers a first-hand account of the process and includes links to further
information on labs. [4/99]
Ex-Vivo
Apoptotic (EVA) Laboratory Assay (Quackwatch)
Evaluation, by Wallace I. Sampson, MD, of the chemosensitivity testing
performed by Rational Therapeutics, of Long Beach, CA. Questions the usefulness
of the Ex-Vivo Apoptotic Laboratory Assay, which is performed on a specimen
taken from a patient and cultured in the laboratory. [7/01]
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