By the term “monitoring” we understand the regular check of major biochemical and imaging parameters for assessment, that have diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic value.
Patients under MDB treatment may obtain better results if they have not previously undergone conventional therapies and their general status is not severely impaired. In order to obtain consistent and accurate scientific data, it is essential for physicians applying MDB to rely on standard biochemical tests, imaging methods and medical history data.
Biochemical tests include: haemochrome, blood urea nitrogen, blood glucose, urines, total and fractioned proteins, liver and blood fat levels, serum electrolytes, blood calcium, blood iron, BSR, GH, IGF, prolactin and specific tumor markers for any cancer type in addition to CEA tests. Imaging techniques include ultrasound, CT, MRI and PET scans, total corporeal scintigraphy and imaging with radioisotopes of somatostatine analogues which help receptor mapping.

Of course, diagnostic assessments cannot be performed with standard frequency, but should be intuitively adjusted to the stage and development of the disease. PET scans and modern imaging techniques with radioisotopes are worth considering as they are more accurate than traditional methods in detecting and localizing tumor masses.
Even GH and IGF dose levels and estrogen, progestinic, androsterone, testosterone, LH and FSH levels in hormone-dependent tumors are of diagnostic and prognostic value, allowing to devise the therapy more appropriately. Comprehensive data derived from biochemical and imaging tests, medical and symptom history information, are crucial to assess patients’ conditions accurately and determine (and possibly adjust, as the case may be) the treatment which is most suited and with better chances of success.