What are lung cancer tumor marker tests?Lung cancer tumor markers are substances produced by tumor cells. Normal cells can turn into tumor cells due to a genetic mutation, a change in the normal function of genes. Genes are the basic units of heredity passed down from your mother and father.Some genetic mutations can be inherited from your parents. Others are acquired later in life due to environmental or lifestyle factors. The mutations that cause lung cancer are usually due to acquired, also known as somatic, mutations. These mutations are most often, though not always caused by a history of tobacco smoking. A genetic mutation can cause a lung tumor to spread and grow into cancer.There are different types of mutations that cause lung cancer. A lung cancer tumor marker test looks for the specific mutation that may be causing your cancer. The most commonly tested lung cancer markers include mutations in the following genes:EGFR, which makes a protein involved in cell divisionKRAS, which helps control the growth of tumorsALK, which is involved in cell growthNot all lung cancers are caused by genetic mutations. But if your cancer is caused by a mutation, you may be able to take a medicine that's designed to attack your specific type of mutated cancer cells. This is called targeted therapy.Other names: Lung cancer targeted gene panel
