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What is STC in a Blood Test?

Published in Blood Test Marker 2 mins read

STC in the context of a blood test most likely refers to Stanniocalcin 1 (STC-1). This is a protein whose presence in blood may indicate the presence of certain types of cancer. Current research suggests STC-1 could be a valuable marker for detecting tumor cells in blood and bone marrow samples from various cancers. For example, the level of STC-1 mRNA in blood has been shown to correlate with tumor size in breast cancer and the presence of micrometastases in hepatocellular carcinoma.

It's crucial to note that STC, in other contexts, might refer to entirely different things. Depending on the specific laboratory and the accompanying test information, STC could also refer to a specific test code at a particular institution. Therefore, to accurately understand the meaning of "STC" in your specific blood test result, refer to the report provided by your laboratory.

Other Possible Meanings (Not Related to Blood Tests)

While the most relevant interpretation of STC in relation to a blood test is Stanniocalcin-1, it is vital to acknowledge the contexts of other uses to avoid ambiguity:

  • STC as an Institutional Abbreviation: In some instances, "STC" might be an abbreviation for a specific institution, such as South Texas College (STC), where medical programs, including phlebotomy and medical assistant technology are offered. In such cases, "STC" would not be a component of the blood test itself, but rather the place where the testing or training related to the test might occur.

  • STC in Sound Transmission Testing: In building acoustics, STC stands for Sound Transmission Class. This is completely unrelated to blood tests.

To reiterate: If you encounter "STC" on a blood test report, it's crucial to contact the laboratory that performed the test for clarification. If the context is unclear, further details and proper labeling within the test result are necessary to avoid misinterpretation.