Evidence-Based Supplement & Herb Guides

Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score Test: Recurrence Risk, Genomic Score, and Prognosis

Oncotype DX measures 21 tumor genes to produce a Breast Recurrence Score from 0 to 100; learn how node status, age, menopause, and pathology shape recurrence risk and chemotherapy decisions.

The Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score test is a tumor gene-expression assay used mainly in early-stage, hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative invasive breast cancer. It analyzes...

PALB2 Test for Breast Cancer: Cancer Risk, DNA Repair, Variant Meaning, and Family Risk

PALB2 testing can reveal inherited DNA-repair variants linked to breast and family cancer risk; learn what positive, negative, and uncertain results mean and how they affect screening.

A PALB2 test looks for inherited changes in the PALB2 gene that can raise the risk of breast cancer and several other cancers. PALB2...

PD-L1 Test for Breast Cancer: Immunotherapy Marker, CPS Score, and Expression Meaning

PD-L1 testing in breast cancer uses tumor-tissue immunohistochemistry and CPS scoring; learn why CPS 10 matters in metastatic TNBC and why early-stage treatment is different.

The PD-L1 test for breast cancer is an immunohistochemistry test used mainly to help determine whether certain patients with advanced triple-negative breast cancer may...

PIK3CA Mutation Test for Breast Cancer: Mutation Status, PI3K Pathway, and Result Meaning

PIK3CA testing detects PI3K-pathway mutations in breast cancer; learn how tissue and ctDNA results are interpreted and how positive findings can guide targeted therapy.

A PIK3CA mutation test looks for tumor DNA changes that activate the PI3K signaling pathway, one of the most commonly altered growth pathways in...

Progesterone Receptor (PR) Test: Breast Cancer Hormone Receptor Status, Positive Score, and Meaning

The progesterone receptor test measures PR nuclear staining in breast cancer; learn the 1% positive threshold, how PR is interpreted with ER, and what low or negative results mean.

The progesterone receptor, or PR, test is an immunohistochemistry test performed on breast cancer tissue to determine whether tumor-cell nuclei contain progesterone receptor protein....

Prosigna PAM50 Test: Breast Cancer Subtype, Recurrence Risk, and Molecular Classification

Prosigna PAM50 measures breast tumor gene expression to report molecular subtype and a 0–100 Risk of Recurrence score; learn how nodal status and menopause shape interpretation.

The Prosigna PAM50 test is a gene-expression assay used in selected patients with early-stage, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer to estimate the risk of distant...

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Biomarker Test: ER, PR, HER2, PD-L1, BRCA, and Tumor Profile

A triple-negative breast cancer biomarker workup starts by proving what the tumor does not express: estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and HER2 at...

4Kscore Test: PSA Markers, Prostate Cancer Risk Score, and Result Meaning

Learn how the 4Kscore combines four PSA-related kallikrein markers with clinical factors to estimate significant prostate cancer risk and guide MRI or biopsy decisions.

The 4Kscore test is a blood test used after prostate cancer risk has already become a concern, often because prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is elevated...

5-HIAA Blood Test: Carcinoid Syndrome, Serotonin Metabolism, Neuroendocrine Tumors, and Meaning

Understand what a 5-HIAA blood test measures, what high levels can mean in carcinoid syndrome and neuroendocrine tumors, and how blood results compare with 24-hour urine testing.

A 5-HIAA blood test measures 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, the main breakdown product of serotonin. It is used mainly when a serotonin-producing neuroendocrine tumor is suspected...

Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) Blood Test: High Levels, Liver Disease, Liver Cancer, and Germ Cell Tumors

Learn what an AFP blood test measures, why AFP rises in liver disease, hepatocellular carcinoma, and germ cell tumors, and how normal ranges and trends guide follow-up.

Alpha-fetoprotein, or AFP, is a protein made in large amounts by the fetal liver and yolk sac but normally present only at low levels...

Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) Tumor Marker Test: Granulosa Cell Tumors, Tumor Activity, and Follow-Up

Learn how AMH is used as a tumor marker for granulosa cell tumors, why levels can rise, how trends are followed after treatment, and how AMH compares with inhibin B.

Anti-Müllerian hormone, or AMH, is best known as a blood marker of ovarian reserve, but it also has an important tumor-marker role in ovarian...

Beta-2 Microglobulin Blood Test: Myeloma, Lymphoma, Leukemia, Kidney Function, and Prognosis

Learn how beta-2 microglobulin is used in myeloma, lymphoma, and leukemia, why kidney function raises B2M, and how staging thresholds and trends are interpreted.

Beta-2 microglobulin, usually shortened to beta-2 microglobulin or B2M, is a small protein released from the surface of most nucleated cells. A blood B2M...

Beta-hCG Tumor Marker Test: Testicular Cancer, Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors, and High Levels

Learn how beta-hCG is used in testicular and ovarian germ cell tumors, what high levels can mean, and why pregnancy, false positives, and marker trends matter.

Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin, or beta-hCG, is best known as a pregnancy hormone, but it is also an important blood tumor marker in germ cell...

Blood Tumor Marker Test Panel: AFP, CEA, CA-125, CA 19-9, PSA, and What They Measure

Understand what AFP, CEA, CA-125, CA 19-9, and PSA blood tumor markers measure, their common reference limits, cancer uses, benign causes, and key limitations.

A blood tumor marker panel can include tests such as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cancer antigen 125 (CA-125), cancer antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9),...

Calcitonin Blood Test: Medullary Thyroid Cancer Marker, High Levels, and C-Cell Disease

Learn how the calcitonin blood test is used for medullary thyroid cancer and C-cell disease, what high levels mean, benign causes, and how results guide follow-up.

Calcitonin is a hormone made mainly by the thyroid's parafollicular C cells. A blood calcitonin test is most important as a tumor marker for...

Cancer Antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3) Blood Test: Breast Cancer Monitoring, Recurrence, and Tumor Marker Meaning

Learn what the CA 15-3 blood test measures, common reference ranges, its role in metastatic breast cancer monitoring, recurrence limits, and benign causes of high results.

Cancer antigen 15-3, or CA 15-3, is a blood tumor marker that measures a circulating form of the MUC1 protein. Many breast cancers release...

Cancer Antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) Blood Test: High Levels, Pancreatic Cancer, Bile Duct Disease, and Meaning

Learn what high CA 19-9 means, how pancreatic and bile duct cancers use this marker, why jaundice causes false elevations, and how Lewis status affects results.

Cancer antigen 19-9, or CA 19-9, is a blood tumor marker used mainly in pancreatic and biliary tract cancers. It can help estimate disease...

Cancer Antigen 27.29 (CA 27.29) Blood Test: Breast Cancer Monitoring, Recurrence, and Result Meaning

Learn what the CA 27.29 blood test measures, its common reference range, how it is used in breast cancer monitoring, recurrence limits, and reasons for high results.

Cancer antigen 27.29, or CA 27.29, is a blood tumor marker that measures a circulating portion of MUC1, a protein commonly overexpressed and abnormally...

Cancer Antigen 125 (CA-125) Blood Test: High Levels, Ovarian Cancer Monitoring, and Non-Cancer Causes

Understand CA-125 blood test results, including normal ranges, high levels, benign causes, ovarian cancer monitoring, recurrence trends, and follow-up.

Cancer antigen 125, usually called CA-125, is a protein measured in blood that is most useful for following certain ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary...

Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) Blood Test: High Levels, Colon Cancer Monitoring, and Benign Causes

Learn what a CEA blood test measures, typical reference ranges, benign causes of high CEA, and how serial CEA levels help monitor colorectal cancer and recurrence.

Carcinoembryonic antigen, or CEA, is a blood tumor marker used mainly to monitor colorectal cancer and several other cancers after diagnosis. It is not...