Carcinoid syndrome laboratory tests
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Parminder Dhingra, M.D. [2]
Overview
Laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of carcinoid tumor include urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and plasma levels of CgA levels.
Laboratory Findings
- Biochemical investigations in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal carcinoids include the use of 24-hour urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) collection, which has a specificity of approximately 88%, although the sensitivity is reported to be as low as 35%.[1]
- Plasma levels of CgA are very sensitive markers of carcinoids, they are nonspecific because they are also elevated in other types of neuroendocrinal tumors, such as pancreatic and small cell lung carcinomas.
- Many other biochemical markers are associated with neuroendocrinal tumors— including substance P, neurotensin, bradykinin, human chorionic gonadotropin, neuropeptide L, and pancreatic polypeptide— but none match the specificity or predictive value of 5-HIAA or CgA.
References
- ↑ Diagnostics: Biochemical Markers, Imaging, and Approach . General Information About Gastrointestinal (GI) Carcinoid Tumors . http://www.cancer.gov/types/gi-carcinoid-tumors/hp/gi-carcinoid-treatment-pdq#link/_47_toc Accessed on September 21, 2015