Biochemistry Department

Biochemistry Department

Biochemistry Department

At the Biochemistry Department of Anadolu Medical Center, we offer services in the area of biochemistry, toxicology, hematology, coagulation, immunology, endocrinology, serology with our experienced staff including 3 medical doctors and 18 laboratory technicians as well as in the areas of molecular cytogenetics with private chemistry and business partnerships.

The most important priority of our laboratory is quality, and we follow the standards of the “Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute”; accuracy and reproducibility of the test results are checked via the internal quality control program, whereas international compliance of the results are checked via various national and international external quality control programs including, in particular, College of American Pathologists.

In our laboratory, in addition to routine tests performed in the diagnosis and treatment processes of various cancers, we perform special studies such as tumor markers for certain types of cancer, hereditary cancer genetic screening tests, and antibody response assays in immunotherapy with racotumomab.

1- Tumor Markers

Tumor markers are enzymes, proteins, antigens or hormones found in blood that used to screen, diagnose, classify, monitor the progress of cancer and to evaluate success of the treatment or to detect relapse.

Primary tumor markers are as follows:

PSA (Prostate-specific Antigen): It is used in the screening, diagnosis, staging of prostate cancer as well as in the monitoring of treatment.

CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen): It is used in the diagnosis and staging of gastric, intestinal and pancreatic cancers as well as in the monitoring of the treatment.

CA 15-3: It is used in the monitoring of the treatment in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

CA 125 and HE4 (Human Epididymis Protein): These are tumor markers related to ovarian and cervical cancers.

CA 19-9: These are tumor markers related to pancreatic and intestinal cancers.

CA 72-4: These are tumor markers related to gastric and intestinal cancers.

HCG (Chorionic Gonadotropin): It is used in the diagnosis and treatment of trophoblastic tumors and testicular tumors.

AFP (Alpha-fetoprotein): It is used in the diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer and testicular tumors.

Calcitonin: It is used in the diagnosis of medullary thyroid cancer.

NMP-22 (Nuclear Matrix protein): It is used in the diagnosis of bladder cancer.

As described above, the only tumor marker to be used in cancer screening today is PSA. Other tumor markers are rather used to give clues about the diagnosis and monitoring of the disease, evaluation of the success of treatment and detection of relapse if any, and help the doctor in his/her decision-making process.

The most important issue to keep in mind in relation to tumor markers is that some of them may be elevated due to reasons other than cancer, in other words, most of them are not specific to cancer. Therefore, patients should not panic against results outside the specified normal range, particularly when results are slightly beyond the normal range. This elevation may completely result from a healthy situation. Doctors always evaluate tumor marker results not in their own right, but as a whole along with their own examination findings and other examinations such as imaging.

Another point to consider in relation to tumor markers is that these tests will be required at certain intervals in order to monitor the disease. In order for the new results to be comparable to the results of previous tests and for the doctors to evaluate increases and decreases confidently, these tests should, to the extent possible, be performed at the same laboratory.

2- Hereditary Cancer Genetic Screening

It is recognized that cancer has a genetic origin, i.e. it results from some changes in the genes. These genetic changes are most of the time acquired, i.e. some changes occur in the genetic structure of a person throughout his/her life. Only a small part of these are hereditary. In other words, a person takes genes from his/her family which make him/her more sensitive against cancer. As a result, whether acquired or hereditary, these changes in the genetic structure of a person disrupt the relevant mechanisms with proliferation, differentiation of cells and cell death, and cancer occurs with uncontrolled proliferation of cells.

It is argued that hereditary cancer syndromes constitute 5 to 10 percent of diagnosed cancer cases. These syndromes stem from mutations in certain genes, and may cause development of cancer in certain organs like the breast, colon, thyroid gland, skin and kidney.

With the Hereditary Cancer Genetic Screening Program, APC, ATM, BMPR1A, BRCA1, BRCA2, BRIP1, CDH1, CDK4, CDKN2A, CHEK2, EPCAM, MEN1, MET, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, MUTYH, NBN, PAL genes are screened in blood and it is detected whether the person carries mutations which may be related to cancer or not. Again with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutation Analysis test studied in blood, patients who specifically have breast and ovarian cancer in their families are evaluated for risk.

Who should undergo hereditary cancer genetic screening test?

  • Persons with first degree relatives diagnosed with cancer,
  • Persons with two or more relatives diagnosed with cancer,
  • Persons with a relative younger than 50 diagnosed with cancer,
  • Persons with several family members diagnosed with the same type of cancer,
  • Persons with a family member diagnosed with more than one type of cancer,
  • Persons with one or several family members with a rare type of cancer.

Genetic screening tests are never recommended to be performed with a person’s own request. These tests should be discussed with an oncologist or medical genetic specialist, and test requests should be made after a detailed review of the family history by a doctor, and the patient should be informed about what can be done with the tests and test results.

3- Antibody Assay for Monitoring Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is one of the recent developments in cancer treatment. Racotumomab is one of these therapies which has different types and essentially aims to use the person's own immune system for therapeutic purposes. Racotumomab is an antibody vaccine which has been developed to react to N-Glycol GM3 Ganglioside (NGcGM3), an antigen found in the surface of the lung cancer cell. Racotumomab IgM and Racotumomab IgG tests are used at our laboratory to evaluate therapeutic success in patients to whom this vaccine has been administered.

Areas of Interest

Triglycerides: What They Are, Low and High Levels, and Treatment

Triglycerides are a type of fat that play an essential role in the body, particularly in energy metabolism, and affect several bodily systems. Keeping triglyceride levels balanced is important for health. Both low and high triglyceride levels can lead to significant health issues, so treatment may be required in such cases.

Sedimentation: What It Is, Low Levels, High Levels, and Treatment

Today, healthcare technologies are continuously advancing, making the diagnosis and treatment of diseases easier. Blood tests are a widely used method requested by doctors to diagnose different diseases. Sedimentation is a blood test commonly requested when there is suspicion of an infection in the body. Additionally, sedimentation values are important in diagnosing some diseases, including certain types of cancer, anemia (low red blood cell count), heart and vascular diseases, diabetes (high blood sugar), kidney disease, and thyroid disorders.

PCT: What It Is, Low Levels, High Levels, and Treatment

The Procalcitonin test, known as PCT, is used to measure the level of procalcitonin in the blood. It is an important indicator in cases of bacterial infection and the development of sepsis. In these two situations, where the body’s defense cells are intensely activated, procalcitonin levels typically peak between the second and fourth hours. PCT is the value that indicates the rate at which infection or sepsis spreads in the bloodstream. In addition to these, conditions such as meningitis, tissue tumors, and organ rejection after organ transplantation can also lead to elevated PCT levels, requiring medical supervision throughout the process.

MCH: What It Is, Low Levels, High Levels, and Treatment

Red blood cells, which are the cells in the blood that carry oxygen, transport it through the hemoglobin protein that has the ability to bind oxygen. The amount of hemoglobin is crucial for transporting enough oxygen throughout the body and for the healthy functioning of metabolism. For this reason, the MCH value, which indicates the average amount of hemoglobin in red blood cells, becomes important.

Hemoglobin (HGB): What Does Its Low or High Level Mean?

Hemoglobin (HGB) is a type of protein found in red blood cells, and it is one of the parameters commonly measured in almost every blood test. It is typically included in a group of blood tests known as a complete blood count (CBC) or hemogram, and is used to investigate various health issues, including anemia (low blood count). It is important for health that the hemoglobin level falls within the required range. When either low or high hemoglobin levels are detected, the cause should be thoroughly investigated, and necessary treatments should be initiated.

What is HCT (Hematocrit), Its Low and High Levels, and Treatment

Red blood cells in the body are produced by the bone marrow. These cells, also known as erythrocytes, are responsible for distributing oxygen throughout the body. Various tests can be performed to evaluate the body's oxygen capacity, and hematocrit is one of these tests. What is hematocrit? What should its normal value be? How is the treatment for low or high hematocrit levels carried out? You can find comprehensive answers to these questions in the following text.

Folic Acid Deficiency: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Folic acid deficiency refers to having lower than normal levels of folic acid in the body, caused by various factors.

Ferritin: What It Is, Symptoms of High and Low Levels, and Treatment

Ferritin is a protein complex that controls the storage and release of iron, a mineral with vital functions in the body. Since iron can be stored, its deficiency or excess reflects the amount of iron in the body. Ferritin levels are among the first things checked, in addition to a complete blood count, as iron levels in the blood play a significant role in transporting oxygen to cells and carrying waste carbon dioxide from cells to the lungs. Iron is essential for maintaining cell vitality and carrying out cellular functions. A deficiency in ferritin can lead to serious health problems, starting with fatigue and progressing to the formation of anemia.

Iron Deficiency: What It Is, Symptoms, and Treatment

Iron deficiency occurs when there is not enough iron mineral in the body. This leads to a decrease in the number of red blood cells (erythrocytes) and results in a condition known as "anemia." Iron is necessary to produce hemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells that allows them to carry oxygen throughout the body. Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia worldwide.

What is Zinc Deficiency and What Are Its Symptoms?

Zinc is one of the essential minerals needed by the body, naturally found in some plant-based and animal-based foods. Minerals are inorganic elements that are necessary for the continuation of vital functions in the body. About 4-6% of the human body is made up of minerals. One of the most important characteristics of minerals is that they cannot be produced by the body. In other words, to meet the body’s mineral needs, they must be obtained from external sources such as food and/or dietary supplements. One of the essential minerals required by the body is zinc. Zinc deficiency occurs when there is an insufficient intake of zinc through food or when there is a problem that affects zinc absorption in the body. Questions such as “What is zinc and what are its benefits?” “How can zinc deficiency be identified?” “What foods contain zinc?” and “Who is at risk for zinc deficiency?” will be answered in detail in the following sections.

ALT: What It Is, Its Low and High Levels, and Treatment

Enzymes are proteins that help speed up chemical reactions in the body. They act as catalysts (breakers) within cells. There are thousands of different types of enzymes, and ALT is one of them. ALT, which stands for alanine transaminase, is an enzyme that can be found primarily in the liver, as well as in the kidneys and other organs. The body uses ALT to convert food into energy. However, having either too little or too much of it can cause certain health problems.

What is a Hemogram (Complete Blood Count)?

In today's world, blood tests are the first assessment method for detecting most diseases. A complete blood count (CBC), or hemogram test, is performed on a large number of patients daily in hospitals, providing important information for both diagnosis and monitoring. The interpretation of blood tests by specialists, along with the patient's medical history and consideration of other diseases, guides the treatment the doctor will administer. The hemogram test compares the normal range of cell groups in the blood to the patient's cell count. Diseases can be diagnosed by identifying abnormal cells or an increased number of these cells in certain pathological conditions. By analyzing a few milliliters of blood from the patient, a laboratory can provide valuable information that guides treatment decisions

Biochemistry Department

Assoc. Prof. Serkan Tapan

Gebze

Biochemistry Department

MD. Gülcan Baloğlu

Ataşehir

Biochemistry Department

MD. İnci Küçükercan

Biochemistry Department

Assoc. Prof. Serkan Tapan

Gebze

Biochemistry Department

MD. Gülcan Baloğlu

Ataşehir

Biochemistry Department

MD. İnci Küçükercan

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