This article summarizes the current understanding about classical sérum tumour markers and the possibili-ty of their use in oncological practice at a time of intensive development in molecular biology techniques. These new procedures, based at the molecular level, háve yet to replace sérum tumour markers in clinical practice. The importance of sérum markers mainly lies in monitoring disease recurrence and following the effectiveness of therapy, as outlined (and regularly updated) in international scientific publications. Fully automatic determinations of sérum tumour markers are non-invasive, economically efficient procedures, which enable the dynamics of their changes during malignant disease to be monitored and thus contribute to the rationalization of oncological therapy.

        Key words: sérum tumour markers, guidelines, follow-up of disease progression, prediction of therapy effectiveness.