Chromogranin A:
Why Chromogranin Test ?
CLINICAL INFORMATION
Chromogranin A (CgA) is a protein (belongs to Granin family of proteins and polypeptides – Granins are widespread in endocrine, neuroendocrine, peripheral, and central nervous tissues, usually they are found in secretory granules alongside the tissue-specific secretion products) commonly secreted by neuroendocrine tumor cells. The role of granins within the granules is to maintain the regulated secretion of these signaling molecules such as synthesis of secretory granules, calcium and pH mediated sequestration and resolubilization of hormones or neurotransmitters, regulation of neuropeptide and peptide hormones processing through modulation of prohormone convertase activity, granins functions as protease hence cleaves peptidase at the cellular level (intra and extracellular cleavage, granins also modulate on regulation of pancreastatin, vasostatin, catestatin etc . Chromogranin A (CgA) testis used as a tumor marker for carcinoid tumors and also for tumors arising from neuroendocrine cells (this includes tumors (neuro-endocrine neoplasms) that secrete/release the hormones associated with carcinoid syndrome, pheochromocytoma (adrenal tumors), neuroblastoma, medullary thyroid carcinoma, certain pituitary tumors, etc). It may be ordered alone or in combination with a 5-HIAA (5-hydroxy-indoleacetic acid) test to help diagnose carcinoid syndrome (tumors), typical carcinoid symptoms include – flushing, diarrhea, abdominal pain, wheezing, valvular heart diseases, etc. Chromogranin blood test helps to detect and monitor (prognosis – when treating with somatostatin analogs) the activity of carcinoid tumors (elevated levels of Chromograninare found in prostate cancers, GI NET-gastro-intestinal Neuro-Endocrine Tumors and/or Lung NET-small cell lung carcinoma). False-positive test results are also indicated in patients on proton pump inhibitors. Other related tests include gastric hormones such as gastrin, somatostatin, VIP, etc.
General Instructions:
Sample Requirement: Specimen - Blood sample collected from the vein. Test Preparation: None.
NOTE - Sample for specimen collections may vary based on the patient’s condition/cases according to the patient’s presenting complaints/signs or symptoms:
SPECIMEN REQUIREMENT (Special or Rare Cases) - As instructed and guided by Physician / Clinician / Pathologist / as per Laboratory’s requirements, according to procedures and protocols.
Sample Requirement: Blood Sample taken from the vein
Test Preparation: None
This Multi-Specialty Clinical Referral Laboratory RT DIAGNOSTICS provides precise and accurate tests with an extensive range of testing services to the medical centers to help in the diagnosis and identification of pathology in the test specimens for infectious diseases and also to evaluate the function of organ systems of the patient. It prevents further complications and helps to stabilize and restore health to near normalcy at the earliest without delay
