VEGF: Questions and answers
The VEGF factor is a tumor marker with a high degree of sensitivity, which serves in the early detection of the existence of solid tumors and hematological neoplasms, enables the assessment of the effectiveness of therapy in pre-existing cancer, and facilitates the prediction of disease recurrence (return).
No. It is an indicator of the possible development of cancer in the body, which thanks to its sensitivity can be detected in the very beginning, and together with the clinical presentation, other tumor markers and radiological techniques, we define the exact type of tumor.
Based on the value of the VEGF factor, the size can be roughly estimated, because the higher the value of the VEGF factor compared to the reference interval, the greater the number of nutrients and oxygen that reach the tumor cells, which facilitates their growth.
Yes, because higher values of the VEGF factor compared to the reference interval indicate a greater formation of blood vessels that facilitate the metastasis of tumor.
In the case of the presence of tumor, and a normal VEGF factor, we can expect a “quiet stage” of the disease in which the surgical or therapeutic approach was adequate for the patient and there is no creation of new pathological vascularization.
Compared to the CEA marker, which participates in the detection of about 10 different tumor, the VEGF factor has a higher degree of sensitivity (it also detects smaller amounts of cancer cells) in more than 160 solid tumors and hematological neoplasms
It can, but for a more detailed diagnosis, it must be combined with other tumor markers and diagnostic methods, depending on the clinical presentation.
Each cancer has its specific symptoms, but for all long-term symptoms for which no other cause has been found and which have not been resolved by the applied therapy, the advice is to do a VEGF test
The test represents a step forward in the preventive diagnosis of tumor so that it can be done even if the symptoms are very mild.
With the VEGF test, it is possible to detect how intense the spread of cancer is, but the exact localization of metastases cannot be determined.
The VEGF test determines the success of the performed therapy (reduction in tumor size, reduction in the number of metastases), but determining the type of therapy is the domain of the oncologist and cannot be determined with this test.
The VEGF factor can also be elevated in benign changes in the body, as well as in chronic liver diseases (viral liver infection, alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver, liver cirrhosis), autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus), kidney diseases (glomerulonephritis), cardiovascular diseases, eye diseases (diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration)…
No single tumor marker can establish a potential diagnosis independently, but their combination ensures faster diagnosis and faster therapeutic intervention.
An elevated value of the VEGF factor indicates the potential development of tumer changes in the body, and after receiving such a finding, you should contact your family medicine doctor, who will refer you to further diagnostic treatment.
The finding is expressed as a numerical value, with a reference interval of up to 160 pg/mL. The report does not say which cancer it is, but the diagnosis is based on the clinical presentation (symptoms), VEGF and other diagnostic methods.
The price of the VEGF test is 100 EUR / HRK 753.45.
