Table of Contents
What does a high chromogranin A level mean?
An increased Chromogranin A level in a person with symptoms may indicate the presence of a tumor, but it is not specific for the type of tumor or its location. In order to diagnose the condition, the tumor itself must be located, biopsied, and examined by a pathologist.
What does a positive chromogranin mean?
Adrenal system tumors that stain positive for chromogranin A include pheochromocytoma. Lung tumors include small cell cancer. Elevation in serum CgA correlates with the size, extension and the histopathology of the neuroendocrine tumors; it is usually higher in large, metastatic, and well-differentiated tumors.
Is chromogranin A tumor marker?
Chromogranin A, due to its primary expression throughout the neuroendocrine system, is a widely accepted biomarker for the assessment of neuro-endocrine tumors. It has been traditionally used in the management of patients with tumors of gastro-enteropancreatic origin.
Is chromogranin A elevated in pheochromocytoma?
Chromogranin A identifies patients with pheochromocytoma with high sensitivity. Chromogranin A is an accurate general marker for neuroendocrine tumors—most patients with pheochromocytomas or paragangliomas have high plasma concentrations of this marker.
What is a normal range for chromogranin A?
There is a normal level of Chromogranin A in the blood, and the range currently is less than 39ng/l.. Abnormal levels can vary form forty to the thousands. The sensitivity of the test for CgA is about 80%, this means that 80% of the time abnormal levels are correctly associated with disease.
What foods affect chromogranin A levels?
Avoid foods that contain high amounts of mines, nitrogen-containing organic compounds, as they can trigger the release of serotonin and other hormones. These foods include fatty meats, smoked or salted fish, aged cheeses, and even chocolate.
What is the normal range for chromogranin A?
What foods affect chromogranin A?
The following foods and/or eating habits are often triggers and may make these symptoms worse:
- Large meals.
- High fat meals.
- Alcohol.
- Spicy foods.
- Raw tomatoes.
- Foods containing moderate or high amounts of amines (please see the list on page # 3)
Why would a doctor order a chromogranin?
The chromogranin A (CgA) test is used as a tumor marker. It may be ordered alone or in combination with a 5-HIAA test to help diagnose carcinoid tumors. CgA may also be used to detect the presence of other tumors arising from neuroendocrine cells.
What does it mean to have high levels of chromogranin A?
Anything above this may be an indication of the presence of a tumor. The good news is that when there is a positive result, about 80% of the tumors that are found tend to be benign. Having high levels of Chromogranin A is also a rather rare condition.
What is the significance of chromogranin A (CgA)?
Therefore, the elevated concentration of chromogranin A is used as a marker of tumors in different diseases. A 100% elevation of CgA is seen in gastrinomas, 89% in pheochromocytomas, 80% in neuroendocrine tumors of the small intestine, 69% in non-functioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, and >50% in medullary thyroid cancer.
In general, however, the normal range for CgA is 1.9-15 ng/mL. Anything above this may be an indication of the presence of a tumor. The good news is that when there is a positive result, about 80% of the tumors that are found tend to be benign. Having high levels of Chromogranin A is also a rather rare condition.
Is chromogranin A a marker for neoplasia?
Clinical significance of elevated serum chromogranin A levels The current study confirms that serum CgA is a sensitive marker for the detection of NE neoplasia. Elevated levels found in patients with adenocarcinoma may indicate NE differentiation in the tumour.