Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Carcinoid syndrome laboratory tests
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of carcinoid syndrome include an elevated urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and plasma levels of Chromogranin A (CgA) levels.N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide is a useful biomarker of carcinoid heart disease.
Laboratory Findings
Laboratory Findings
- Urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) are elevated and plasma levels of Chromogranin A (CgA) levels.[1]
- Testing for elevated urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) has a specificity of approximately 88%, although the sensitivity is reported to be as low as 35%.
- Plasma levels of Chromogranin A (CgA) are very sensitive markers of carcinoid syndrome, but not specific as they are also elevated in other types of neuroendocrinae tumors such as pancreatic and small cell lung carcinomas.
- N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide : It is a useful biomarker of carcinoid heart disease at a cutoff level of 260 pg/ml (31 pmol/l).[2]
- N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide used as a screening tool for carcinoid heart disease in patients with carcinoid syndrome.[3]
- Other biochemical markers associated with carcinoid syndrome include:[1]
References
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Diagnostics: Biochemical Markers, Imaging, and Approach. National cancer institute. http://www.cancer.gov/types/gi-carcinoid-tumors/hp/gi-carcinoid-treatment-pdq
- ↑ Dobson R, Burgess MI, Banks M, Pritchard DM, Vora J, Valle JW, Wong C, Chadwick C, George K, Keevil B, Adaway J, Ardill JE, Anthoney A, Hofmann U, Poston GJ, Cuthbertson DJ (2013). “The association of a panel of biomarkers with the presence and severity of carcinoid heart disease: a cross-sectional study”. PLoS ONE. 8 (9): e73679. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0073679. PMC 3771983. PMID 24069222.
- ↑ Bhattacharyya S, Toumpanakis C, Caplin ME, Davar J (October 2008). “Usefulness of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide as a biomarker of the presence of carcinoid heart disease”. Am. J. Cardiol. 102 (7): 938–42. doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2008.05.047. PMID 18805126.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Parminder Dhingra, M.D. [2]