Abstract: Tumor markers are the specific and relatively specific substances which are lack or few in normal cells produced in the canceration process. They also may be the component of normal cells produced by host cells versus cancer cells，with different quantity and quality from that in normal condition or benign diseases. The detection of blood，body fluid，extract through technology of chemistry，immunity, and molecular biology plays an important role on diagnosis，treatment，prognosis of tumors. CA72-4 is a new tumor marker. People begin to attach importance to its role on diagnosis，differential diagnosis，illness monitoring and prognostic assessment of various cancers （such as gastric cancer，ovarian cancer and colorectal cancer，et al）.Combined with other tumor markers，it will be beneficial to earlier detection，earlier diagnosis and earlier treatment.

Key words: CA72-4, Tumor markers, biological, Antigens, tumor-associated, carbohydrate, Stomach neoplasms, Colorectal neoplasms