Lung Marker Profile Test

The Lung Marker Profile measures the NSE, CEA, Chromogranin A levels in the blood.

• The test is useful for the screening of lung cancers: This may include patients with suspected clinical signs and symptoms. It should however, not be used in isolation for diagnosis of lung cancers.
• For monitoring treatment and relapse in patients with lung cancers.
• The test may be used as a prognostic marker for survival following certain lung surgeries.
•  To know the stage of cancer as well as the metastasis status
• The test can help detect recurrence, metastasis and residual cancer: This may even include patients with a history of cancer of other organs like prostate, GI, pancreas etc.

Lung cancer often begins with the following signs and symptoms:

• Prolonged unresolving cough
• Chest pain and tightness
• Coughing with blood.
• Sudden unexplained weight loss
• Recurrent respiratory infections
• Abnormal mass seen on lung X-ray

The following patients are also at high risk and recommended to get tested:

• Chronic smokers /Tobacco chewers
• Family history of lung cancers
• History of cancer of other organs or tissues
• Recurrent respiratory infections.

This test requires a blood sample. A tourniquet (elastic) band is placed tightly on the upper arm. The patient is then asked to make a fist. This helps in the build-up of blood filling the veins. The skin is disinfected before needle insertion and the blood sample is collected in vacutainer.

None.

Chromogranin A

The levels are elevated in gastrinoma, pheochromocytoma, carcinoid tumors, and medullary carcinoma of the thyroid.

Chromogranin A is not a diagnostic test for endocrine tumors. It can be elevated in patients with renal failure and in patients of atrophic chronic gastritis.

In some cases, levels may also be elevated in healthy subjects.

NSE-Neuron Specific Enolase Test

Increased NSE levels may occur in malignant neuroendocrine diseases like carcinoid tumour, medullary thyroid carcinoma, Merkel cell tumour of the skin, carcinoma of pancreas & Adrenal medulla as well in certain cases of Benign Lung diseases.

Increased levels may at times also occur due to epilepsy, encephalitis and other brain disorders.

CEA test

A gross increase of CEA in a patient with compatible symptoms are suggestive of the presence of cancer. The results of this test when done over an interval help monitor condition of the patient and his response to treatment.

CEA levels fall after successful treatment to normal levels in 1-4 months

Levels may increase in certain non-cancerous conditions like smoking, hepatic disease, trauma, ulcerative colitis, pancreatitis, cirrhosis, COPD, Crohn's disease and hypothyroidism.

Patients should do a follow-up testing preferably through the same laboratory as different assays can give different result values on the same sample

• NSE test
• Chromogranin A test
• CEA test
• Lung cancer test

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a glycoprotein and its concentration in blood increases in certain tumours i.e., colorectal cancer, medullary thyroid carcinoma, breast, gastrointestinal tract, liver, lung, ovarian, pancreatic and prostatic cancers.

It is often used for monitoring colorectal & gastrointestinal cancer patients and their response to treatment.

Human Chromogranin A is a tumour marker used to differentiate between endocrine and non-endocrine tumors. Chromogranin A is not a diagnostic test for endocrine tumors. It can be elevated even in patients with renal failure and in patients of atrophic chronic gastritis.

NSE is an isoenzyme found in neuronal and neuroendocrine tissues. Its levels in the blood are normally negligible. NSE test is used for monitoring disease progression & therapy in patients with Small cell lung carcinoma & neuroendocrine tumors.