Significance of plasma chromogranin A determination in neuroendocrine tumour (NET) diagnosis

• Main Authors: H. Donica, A. Malecha-Jêdraszek, E. Stroslawska, A. Burska, F. Szubstarski
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Via Medica 2010-04-01
• Series: Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica
• Subjects: chromogranin A (CgA); neuroendocrine tumour (NET)
• Online Access: http://www.fhc.viamedica.pl/darmowy_pdf.phtml?indeks=128&indeks_art=1295
• ISSN: 0239-8508; 1897-5631

The secretory nature of NETs implies the determination of the CgA concentration as a standard marker. The concentrationof CgA in plasma correlates with the degree of histopathological differentiation, tumor stage, and is an essentialprerequisite for therapy. A retrospective analysis of the results of the plasma CgA concentrations in relation to histopathologicaland clinical findings (type of NET according to the WHO classification, severity of disease based on the presenceof metastases and clinical symptoms) as well as somatostatin receptor scintigraphy was performed in 41 patients with NET.The patients were treated in The Regional Oncology of Lublin from February 2005 to May 2008. Data from the literatureand results of this study suggest the use of CgA in the diagnosis and prognosis of NET. Plasma CgA concentration analysedtogether with histopathological assessment of tumor and the clinical picture is a useful marker in the diagnosis of neuroendocrinetumours. High plasma CgA concentrations may indicate the presence of highly-differentiated NET (WDNEC), andalso may indicate the presence of tumor metastasis. The highest CgA concentrations were observed in patients with neuroendocrinetumors associated with carcinoid symptoms and the presence of metastases to the liver.