Why do you test tumor markers before treatment?

They are included in your quote. We test markers such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) as a safety screening step. For your safety, patients with a recent or current cancer diagnosis are generally not considered candidates for our stem cell treatments, and these tests help the doctor confirm that you are a good candidate before your procedure. An elevated result does not mean you have cancer, but it does mean the doctor will review it with you before going ahead.

Many patients are surprised to see tumor markers in their list of tests. It is natural to wonder why a regenerative treatment for a knee, the spine or general wellness would include cancer-related blood tests. This guide explains what tumor markers are, why we include them, what the results mean and what happens if a value is high.

What are tumor markers?

According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), a tumor marker is anything present in or produced by cancer cells, or by other cells of the body in response to cancer, that can provide information about a cancer. Most tumor markers measured in blood are proteins.

The markers we usually test include:

The doctor may request other tests depending on your age, sex and medical history.

Why we test them

Safety first

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) release growth factors and other signals that support tissue repair and help regulate inflammation and the immune response. These properties are what make them useful in regenerative medicine. For safety, our medical team does not apply stem cell treatments to patients with a recent or current cancer diagnosis. In the answers we give to our patients, we explain that cancer cases are highly complex and require specialized oncological evaluation, and that our clinic does not position stem cell therapy as a treatment or cure for cancer.

Testing tumor markers on your arrival day adds a layer of screening, in addition to your medical history, to help the doctor confirm that you are a good candidate.

A complete picture of your health

Your arrival-day laboratory tests give the doctor a current view of your health:

• Complete blood count: red and white blood cells and platelets, which can reveal anemia, infection or platelet problems that matter for PRP and for the procedure.
• Comprehensive metabolic panel: kidney and liver function, blood sugar and electrolytes.
• Urinalysis: urinary tract infection and kidney-related findings.
• Tumor markers: an additional screening step related to cancer.

Together, these results allow the doctor to confirm your plan, or adjust it, before treatment.

Why we screen even if you feel healthy

Many of our patients are active, feel well and come for a joint, the spine or healthy aging. Even so, we include tumor markers for everyone, for three reasons:

• Some conditions have no symptoms at first. Routine blood work can reveal findings that a patient was not aware of.
• Many of our patients are over 50, an age group in which regular health screening is recommended.
• A consistent protocol protects every patient. Applying the same screening to all patients means no one is treated without the same safety checks.

If one of your results needs attention, finding it before your treatment gives you and your own physician the chance to act on it. Many patients see this screening as an added benefit of their visit, since they return home with a recent set of laboratory results they can share with their doctor.

What the safety research says

Large systematic reviews and meta-analyses of mesenchymal stem cells given into the bloodstream, published in EClinicalMedicine in 2020 and in Stem Cells Translational Medicine in 2026, pooled clinical trials with thousands of patients and reported that this type of administration continues to appear safe. Clinical trials, like our protocols, screen patients carefully before treatment, and excluding people with active cancer is a common safety criterion in regenerative medicine. Our screening follows this same principle.

What do the results mean?

It is important to understand what a tumor marker result can and cannot tell you:

• A normal result is reassuring and supports going ahead with your treatment plan, together with the rest of your evaluation.
• An elevated result does not mean you have cancer. The NCI notes that tumor marker levels can rise for reasons other than cancer, including benign conditions. For example, CEA can be higher in smokers, and CA-125 can rise with some benign gynecological conditions or inflammation.
• A normal result does not rule out every cancer. Tumor markers are a screening step, not a complete cancer evaluation, which is why your medical history matters too.

What happens if a value is high?

If a tumor marker comes back elevated, the doctor will:

1. Review the result with you in the context of your history, symptoms and other laboratory tests.
2. Explain the possible causes, including non-cancer causes.
3. Decide on the safest course: in some cases the treatment can go ahead, and in others the doctor may recommend further evaluation with your own physician before any regenerative treatment.

Our priority is your safety. If the doctor recommends postponing your treatment for a medical reason, your advisor will explain the options for your deposit and a new date.

If you have a history of cancer

Tell us about it from the beginning. The doctor will ask for:

• Pathology reports of any tumor that was removed.
• Your oncologist's reports, including the date of your last treatment and your current status.
• Recent imaging, if relevant.

Patients with a recent or current cancer diagnosis are generally not considered candidates. If you have a past history of cancer, we require at least five years of documented remission, supported by imaging reports and oncology follow-up notes, before considering treatment.

Your arrival day

Tumor markers are part of a simple routine. On your arrival day:

1. Arrive at the clinic in the morning, ideally between 8:00 am and 11:00 am, the earlier the better.
2. Come fasting, since blood samples will be collected. Drink water.
3. Blood draw for your laboratory tests, including tumor markers.
4. Medical forms and payment of the balance.
5. In-person consultation with the doctor and the stem cell specialist, who review your results and confirm your plan.
6. Rest at your hotel, and return the next morning for your treatment.

Can I use results from home?

If you recently had blood tests with your own doctor, send them to your advisor. The doctor will tell you whether they can be used or need to be repeated on your arrival day. Your recent blood work also helps the doctor confirm, before your trip, that the planned dose is still the best for your case.

Common questions

Are tumor markers included in the price? Yes. They are part of the blood tests included in your quote, so there is no separate charge for them on your arrival day.

Do I need to fast for these tests? Yes, for accurate results. Since blood samples are collected on your arrival day, come fasting and drink water. If you have diabetes, ask the team how to manage your medication.

How long do the results take? The results are available during your visit, so the doctor can review them before your treatment.

Does a normal result mean I do not have cancer? No test can rule out every disease. Tumor markers are one screening step among several.

Can I get a copy of my results? Ask your advisor for a copy of your laboratory results to share with your own physician.

Questions to ask the medical team

• Which tumor markers will be tested in my case?
• How will you use my results to plan my treatment?
• What happens if one of my results is high?
• Can I use the blood tests I did at home recently?

Bottom line

Tumor markers are a routine safety step in your arrival-day blood work, together with a complete blood count, a metabolic panel and a urinalysis. They help the doctor confirm that you are a good candidate, since patients with a recent or current cancer diagnosis are generally not treated with stem cells. An elevated result does not mean you have cancer, and the doctor will review any abnormal value with you. A medical evaluation can help determine whether this type of regenerative treatment is appropriate for your condition, goals and medical history.