Which tumor marker is typically used for colon cancer detection?

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is the tumor marker that is primarily associated with colon cancer detection and monitoring. CEA is a glycoprotein involved in cell adhesion and is normally present in very low levels in the blood. When a person has colon cancer, the levels of CEA can significantly increase, making it a useful biomarker in the assessment and management of this disease.

CEA is not solely used for the initial diagnosis of colon cancer, but it is particularly valuable in monitoring treatment response and detecting recurrence after treatment. Regular monitoring of CEA levels can help inform clinicians about the effectiveness of the treatment plan and guide further actions if necessary.

Other markers listed serve different purposes: alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is mainly associated with liver cancer and germ cell tumors, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is used for prostate cancer detection, and CA-125 is primarily associated with ovarian cancer. This specificity of CEA to colon cancer underlines its role as the recognized tumor marker for this particular malignancy.