Myasthenia Gravis and Lambert-Eaton - Elevated Tumor Markers and Antibodies
July 6, 2020 | 25,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Frauke Gehring
Hello,
my friend has been diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis for about 4 years, and more recently with Lambard Eaton. It has now been found that the tumor markers and antibodies in her blood are significantly elevated, leading to suspicion of a tumor. She wants to have a full body MRI to investigate this further.
How can she get a referral for this? My general practitioner is unwilling to provide one without reports from the specialists. Despite multiple requests, the specialists are not providing the reports. Otherwise, she would have to pay around 1000 euros out of pocket.
Good day,
Tumor markers are not suitable for the initial diagnosis of a tumor, because a) they are quite unspecific and b) they are not only elevated in cancer diseases. Therefore, the question arises as to who actually ordered this examination and which tumor markers were tested (there are dozens). Again, there are thousands of different antibodies. Which ones were elevated? However, they indicate an infection with germs, but not necessarily a tumor.
Many tumors are not visible in an MRI: small ones are not visible at all, and skin tumors are especially difficult to detect. Therefore, a full-body MRI is not a sensible idea, and your general practitioner (who would be responsible for the resulting costs!) is right not to issue a referral.
The one who determined the tumor markers should issue the referral, as they must have a reason for it and a suspected diagnosis. Then, a targeted search for ONE type of tumor can be conducted.
A specialist does not need to write a report if your friend went there without a referral. If she went with a referral, as is actually required, she can involve the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, because then the specialist MUST provide a report.
Warm regards, Dr. Gehring
