Appendix cancer laboratory findings

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Soroush Seifirad, M.D.[2]

There are no diagnostic laboratory findings associated with appendix cancer in general. Laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of carcinoid tumors include , Chromogranin A (CgA), 5-HIAA (5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid) as well as Ki67. Some patients with colonic type adenocarcinoma may have elevated concentration of CEA and CA 19-9.

• There are no diagnostic laboratory findings associated with appendix cancer.
• Some patients with colonic type adenocarcinoma may have elevated concentration of CEA and CA 19-9.^[1][2]
• Laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of carcinoid tumor include:

• Chromogranin A (CgA)

• Marker of tumor bulk, independent of symptoms
• Specificity: 98.4%, sensitivity: 62.9% ^[3]
• More sensitive and less specific than urinary 5-HIAA

• 5-HIAA (5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid)

• The most specific marker of carcinoid tumors
• No clear correlation with symptoms
• Elevated concentration of 5-HIAA (usually suggestive of progression of carcinoid tumors)^[4][5]

• Ki67

• Marker of cell proliferation
• Patients with values less than 2% seldom benefit from chemotherapy^[6][4]

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