Analysis index

1 ml serum, taken mornings on an empty stomach (Stability of the sample both at room temperature or at 4°C – 8°C: 2 days)

< 100 µg/l

Suspicion of or screening of neuroendocrine tumors such as small cell bronchial carcinomas, pheochromocytomas, C-cell carcinomas of the thyroid, gastrinomas, glucagonomas, insulinomas etc.

The absence of chromogranin A does not rule out an endocrine tumor (approximately 30 % are chromogranin A negative). On the other hand, there are numerous conditions, which may lead to false-positive findings, faking the presence of a neuroendocrine tumor.

These include among others: Hyperparathyroidism, hyperthyroidism, chronic atrophic gastritis, treatment with proton pump inhibitors, chronic hepatitis, colon carcinomas, hepatocellular carcinomas, liver cirrhosis, pancreatitis, histamine-2 receptor antagonists, chronic kidney insufficiency, chronic bronchitis (DIPNECH).