TY - JOUR T1 - Tumour marker requesting in primary care and the role of the laboratory JF - Journal of Clinical Pathology JO - J Clin Pathol SP - 443 LP - 446 DO - 10.1136/jcp.2010.085357 VL - 64 IS - 5 AU - Patrick L C Walker AU - Martin Crook Y1 - 2011/05/01 UR - http://jcp.bmj.com/content/64/5/443.abstract N2 - Aims To review the incidence of multiple tumour marker (TM) requesting in the primary care setting and determine whether the rationale for requesting a TM panel is in agreement with evidence-based guidelines.Methods Data-mining software was used to retrospectively identify multiple TM requests and requesting practices of GP surgeries over a 34-month period for α-fetoprotein, CA125, CA15-3, CA19-9, carcinoembryonic antigen and prostate-specific antigen. The appropriateness of each test was reviewed by a clinical biochemist in accordance with National Association of Clinical Biochemistry best-practice guidelines.Results 505 multiple TM requests were identified which corresponded to 1304 TM tests. Comparison with best-practice guidelines suggested that 68% of request cards contained no appropriate TM request, and 84% of the tests requested were inappropriate.Conclusion A review of requesting practices in primary care for TMs highlights the need for laboratories to be more proactive in educating their users on their clinical utility and limitations. ER -