Usefulness of chromogranin A as a marker for detection of relapses of carcinoid tumours.

Abstract

It is well known that peptide-producing endocrine tumours cosecrete immunoreactive chromogranin A with their characteristic hormones. Into this study 187 patients with the diagnosis malignant carcinoids or other malignancies were entered. Using chromogranin A at a cut-off level of 30.3 U/ml it was possible to discriminate between patients in remission and patients suffering a relapse with a sensitivity of 91.7% and a specificity of 96.4%, which may be of important diagnostic value. In our study that lasted over one year we could clearly show that the measurement of chromogranin A is impressively superior to 5-hydroxyindoleacetic-acid for detecting a relapse of carcinoids.

• Authors: R A Pirker, J Pont, R Pöhnl, W Schütz, A Griesmacher, M M Müller
• Journal: Clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine (Clin Chem Lab Med) Vol. 36 Issue 11 Pg. 837-40 (Nov 1998) ISSN: 1434-6621 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 9877088 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers, Tumor
• CHGA protein, human
• Chromogranin A
• Chromogranins
• Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid

Topics

• Biomarkers, Tumor (urine)
• Carcinoid Tumor (pathology, urine)
• Case-Control Studies
• Chromogranin A
• Chromogranins (urine)
• Humans
• Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid (urine)
• Recurrence
• Sensitivity and Specificity