Breast cancer is the most common neoplasm affecting women in the Western world. Many studies are still conducted
with the purpose of finding markers that could be used for early diagnosis and/or serve as possible reliable prognostic or
predictive parameters, but with conflicting results. At present, no markers are available for an early diagnosis of breast
cancer. For surveillance of patients with diagnosed breast cancer the most widely used serum markers are CA 15-3 and
CEA which, in combination with other clinical parameters, could have clinical significance. The most useful and clinically
important tissue-based markers in breast cancer are estrogen and progesterone receptors, used as a basis for hormonal
therapy, and HER-2 receptors, essential in selecting patients for the treatment with Herceptin®. New or potentially
new markers for breast cancer include BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes for selecting patients at high risk of developing
hereditary breast cancer, as well as urokinase plasminogen activator and inhibitor for assessing prognosis in lymph
node-negative patients. Results of tumor and patient genetic analyses including their clinical evaluation will enable application
of more individualized and personalized approach in diagnosis and therapy of breast cancer patients
