In a microbiological or diagnostic laboratory, numerous marker tests are performed that relate to either neoplastic (cancerous) or cardiac conditions.

Neoplastic Markers (Cancer Markers) These are used for the monitoring, prognosis, and in some cases, the diagnosis of neoplasms:

• CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen) – Pancreatic, gastrointestinal, lung cancer

• CA 125 – Ovarian cancer

• CA 15-3 – Breast cancer

• CA 19-9 – Pancreatic and gastrointestinal cancer

• AFP (Alpha-Fetoprotein) – Hepatocellular carcinoma, testicular tumors

• PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) – Prostate cancer

• Free PSA – Complementary measurement of PSA for better specificity

• hCG (Beta Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) – Testicular tumors, pregnancy, choriocarcinoma

• Calcitonin – Thyroid cancer

• NSE (Neuron Specific Enolase) – Neuroendocrine tumors

• Chromogranin A – Neuroendocrine tumors

Cardiovascular Markers These are used for the diagnosis or monitoring of acute cardiac conditions:

• Troponin I/T – Highly sensitive marker for myocardial infarction

• CK-MB (Creatine Kinase-MB) – Older marker for infarction

• Myoglobin – Early marker, less specific

• BNP (Brain Natriuretic Peptide) – Heart failure

• NT-proBNP – Alternative BNP measurement with a longer half-life

• hs-CRP (High sensitivity C-reactive protein) – Inflammatory marker, associated with cardiovascular risk

• D-Dimers – Useful in suspected pulmonary embolism or thrombosis