Description

Serum chromogranin A can be used to monitor a patient with a neuroendocrine tumor. If elevated it correlates with tumor load.


 

Neuroendocrine tumors that can be monitored with chromogranin A:

(1) islet cell tumors, carcinoid tumor or neuroendocrine carcinoma

(2) pheochromocytoma

(3) small cell undifferentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas

(4) parathyroid tumors

(5) pituitary tumors

(6) neuroblastomas

 

To be used as a biomarker it must:

(1) be elevated prior to therapy

(2) fall following therapy.

 

If tumor recurs or metastasizes then the serum chromogranin level should rise in parallel with the tumor burden.

 

Differential diagnosis – other conditions associated with an elevated serum chromogranin A level include:

(1) proton pump inhibitor therapy

(2) renal insufficiency

(3) liver disease

(4) inflammatory bowel disease

(5) atrophic gastritis

(6) stress

 


To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.