Chromogranin A (CGA) Test - Plasma

Chromogranin a test measured to diagnose and monitor carcinoid tumours and other neuroendocrine tumours and measure the response to these tumours’ treatments

Your doctor will recommend chromogranin a test for you if he sees the signs of carcinoid tumour. The signs include:

• Face and neck being deep red colour suddenly
• Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and signs of intestinal blockage
• Fast heart rate
• Chest pain, wheezing, coughing, difficulty breathing

Chromogranin A (CgA) is a protein released from neuroendocrine cells. These are cells that release hormones against signals from the nervous system. They are found in many organs throughout our body.

Neuroendocrine cells, and the endocrine glands that they are found in, can cause a variety of tumors, both benign and malignant like carcinoid tumors, insulinomas, small cell lung cancers, pheochromocytomas, medullary thyroid carcinomas, some pituitary tumors, and neuroblastomas. Chromogranin a test can be utilised to help in detection, diagnosis, or monitoring response to treatment or relapse of neuroendocrine tumors, specifically carcinoid tumors.

Carcinoid tumors, a division of neuroendocrine tumors, are slow-growing noncancerous or cancerous masses. These form mainly in the digestive tract (stomach, pancreas, small intestine, colon, appendix, rectum) or the lungs.

• The test is used to help diagnose and monitor neuroendocrine tumors
• It is used to follow-up or for surveillance of patients with known or treated carcinoid tumors
• It also acts as an adjunct in the diagnosis of carcinoid tumors
• It also is an adjunct in the diagnosis of other neuroendocrine tumors, including pheochromocytomas

The Chromogranin A, Plasma test is a blood test that measures the levels of CgA in the blood.

If the results of the Chromogranin-A, Plasma test are abnormal, it may indicate the presence of a neuroendocrine tumor or another condition that affects CgA levels. However, it's important to note that elevated CgA levels can also be caused by a variety of other factors, including certain medications, kidney or liver disease, and inflammation.

The test is a simple blood draw that can be done at home, in a healthcare provider's office or in a laboratory. A healthcare provider will collect a blood sample by inserting a needle into a vein in your arm. The process usually takes a few minutes and may cause a brief pinch or sting.

There is no special preparation required for the test, although a healthcare provider may advise a person to avoid certain medications or foods that can affect the results of the test

Symptoms that may prompt a healthcare provider to order the Chromogranin-A, Plasma test include:

• Flushing (reddening and warming of the skin)
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Unexplained weight loss
• Irregular heartbeat or palpitations
• Wheezing or shortness of breath
• Blood pressure changes

Chromogranin-A test

CgA test

Serum chromogranin-A test

Pancreastatin test

Parastatin test

If the test results are abnormal, the healthcare provider may order additional tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine the extent of the tumor. These tests may include imaging studies such as CT scans, MRIs, or PET scans to locate the tumor and determine its size and location. A biopsy may also be needed to confirm the diagnosis of a neuroendocrine tumor

There are several other blood tests that may be associated with Chromogranin-A, Plasma test:

• 5-HIAA (5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid) - this test measures the levels of a byproduct of serotonin, a hormone that is often elevated in neuroendocrine tumors.
• Insulin and C-peptide - these tests measure the levels of insulin and C-peptide, which are hormones that can be produced by some pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.
• Glucagon - this test measures the levels of glucagon, a hormone that can be produced by some pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.
• Gastrin - this test measures the levels of gastrin, a hormone that can be produced by some gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors.

ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) - this test measures the levels of ACTH, a hormone that can be produced by some pituitary or lung neuroendocrine tumors.