Cancer marker profile (Brain and Pituitary)

The Cancer marker profile (Brain and Pituitary) measures the NSE, CEA, Prolactin levels in the blood

• The test is useful along with other tests for the screening of pituitary tumors. It should however, not be used in isolation for the diagnosis of pituitary tumours.
• For monitoring treatment and relapse in patients with pituitary and hormone dependent tumours.
• The test may be used as a prognostic marker for survival following certain brain 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 breast, lung, pancreas etc.

Depending on the size of the tumour, brain or pituitary tumors may produce the following signs and symptoms:

• Headache [radiating or non-radiating]
• Pain, numbness or facial muscle weakness [due to facial nerve impingement]
• Pain radiating to ears
• Nausea, vomiting
• Seizures
• Visual disturbances with drooping eyelids

It is also recommended to get tested in the following cases:

• Hormonal abnormalities with unexplained weight loss
• Menstrual irregularities
• Behavioural or physiological changes
• Family or past history of cancers
• Recent surgery of the brain or pituitary gland.

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.

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-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.

Prolactin Test

High levels may also be seen in Prolactinoma and other pituitary diseases and tumors.

High levels are often associated with Pituitary adenoma requiring further workup.

Low levels may indicate hypopituitarism but usually doesn’t require treatment.

• Brain cancer marker tests
• NSE test
• CEA test
• Prolactin 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.

Prolactin is a hormone secreted by pituitary gland. Certain hormone dependent pituitary tumors may lead to abnormal production of prolactin hormones. Prolactin test is useful also for monitoring therapy of prolactin-producing tumors like the pituitary tumours.

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.