A male patient is diagnosed with prostate cancer. The nurse realizes that which of the following might be used to aid in the diagnosis of this disease?

Question

1. histocompatibility antigen
2. major histocompatibility complex I antigen
3. major histocompatibility complex II antigen
4. tumor-associated antigen

Answer 1

4

Rationale: Some human tumors have been found to display particular antigens that distinguish normal cells from abnormally transformed cells. Tumor-associated antigens typically do not evoke an immune response because they are recognized as self from early development during embryonic and fetal stages. Although many of these antigens occur naturally in small quantities, an elevation of the particular antigen type can be helpful in detecting potentially abnormal cells and tracking progression of disease or regression of disease following treatment. Histocompatibility antigens are proteins found on the surface of all cells. Major histocompatibility complex I antigens are found on the surface of all nucleated cells. Major histocompatibility complex II antigens are found on the cell surfaces of macrophages and B lymphocytes.