In recent decades, serum tumor markers (STMs) have emerged as valuable adjuncts in early cancer detection and post-treatment surveillance. STMs are inexpensive, minimally invasive, and readily accessible tools that can be used to diagnose cancers, monitor patients’ responses to treatment, and even detect recurrence without imposing additional burdens on patients. Emerging evidence has demonstrated the reliability of STMs in the prognostication of bladder cancer (BC). However, their potential role extends beyond prognostication. This review intends to provide a multidimensional picture of STM applications in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). In addition, we supplement this review with real-life clinical experiences from our institution to further illustrate the clinical feasibility of STMs in MIBC.
近几十年来,血清肿瘤标志物(STMs)已成为癌症早期检测和术后监测的重要辅助工具。作为经济、微创且易于获取的检测手段,STMs可用于癌症诊断、监测患者治疗反应乃至发现复发迹象,且不会给患者增加额外负担。最新证据表明STMs在膀胱癌预后评估中具有可靠性,但其潜在价值不仅限于预后判断。本综述旨在系统阐述STMs在肌层浸润性膀胱癌临床应用的多维图景,并结合本机构的真实临床经验,进一步论证STMs在肌层浸润性膀胱癌诊疗中的临床可行性。
Serum Tumor Markers for Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer in Clinical Practice: A Narrative Review