open access

Vol 64, No 5 (2013)
Original paper
Submitted: 2013-11-04
Accepted: 2013-11-04
Published online: 2013-11-01
Get Citation

Chromogranin A (CgA) in adrenal tumours

Piotr Glinicki, Wojciech Jeske, Lucyna Bednarek-Papierska, Anna Kasperlik-Załuska, Elżbieta Rosłonowska, Małgorzata Gietka-Czernel, Wojciech Zgliczyński
DOI: 10.5603/EP.2013.0018
·
Endokrynol Pol 2013;64(5):358-362.

open access

Vol 64, No 5 (2013)
Original Paper
Submitted: 2013-11-04
Accepted: 2013-11-04
Published online: 2013-11-01

Abstract

Introduction: Adrenal tumours can produce specific hormones and cause characteristic symptoms. The majority of adrenal incidentalomas
are clinically silent, but some may be malignant or pose other potential threats to life.
Chromogranin A (CgA) is the main, nonspecific marker of neuroendocrine tumours (NET). In the adrenals, CgA is produced by chromaffin
cells localised in the adrenal medulla. Therefore its measurement in blood might be used as a screening test for pheochromocytoma
after the exclusion of other various causes of an increased CgA level.
The aim of our study was to investigate plasma CgA concentration in various adrenal tumours.

Material and methods: EDTA2K plasma samples were obtained from 195 patients with adrenal tumours and from 50 blood donors. CgA
was measured in plasma-EDTA2K by immunoradiometric (IRMA) method.

Results: In the majority of patients with adrenal tumours not derived from neuroendocrine cells (chromaffin cells), except those with
significant hypercortisolaemia and some patients with adrenal carcinoma, the plasma CgA concentrations were below the cut-off value.
In adrenal tumours derived from chromaffin cells (pheochromocytoma), CgA levels were markedly elevated.

Conclusion: In differential diagnosis of adrenal tumours, non-increased CgA level might be useful initial screening evidence for the
exclusion of pheochromocytoma.

(Endokrynol Pol 2013; 64 (5): 358–362)

Abstract

Introduction: Adrenal tumours can produce specific hormones and cause characteristic symptoms. The majority of adrenal incidentalomas
are clinically silent, but some may be malignant or pose other potential threats to life.
Chromogranin A (CgA) is the main, nonspecific marker of neuroendocrine tumours (NET). In the adrenals, CgA is produced by chromaffin
cells localised in the adrenal medulla. Therefore its measurement in blood might be used as a screening test for pheochromocytoma
after the exclusion of other various causes of an increased CgA level.
The aim of our study was to investigate plasma CgA concentration in various adrenal tumours.

Material and methods: EDTA2K plasma samples were obtained from 195 patients with adrenal tumours and from 50 blood donors. CgA
was measured in plasma-EDTA2K by immunoradiometric (IRMA) method.

Results: In the majority of patients with adrenal tumours not derived from neuroendocrine cells (chromaffin cells), except those with
significant hypercortisolaemia and some patients with adrenal carcinoma, the plasma CgA concentrations were below the cut-off value.
In adrenal tumours derived from chromaffin cells (pheochromocytoma), CgA levels were markedly elevated.

Conclusion: In differential diagnosis of adrenal tumours, non-increased CgA level might be useful initial screening evidence for the
exclusion of pheochromocytoma.

(Endokrynol Pol 2013; 64 (5): 358–362)

Get Citation

Keywords

adrenal tumours; CgA; chromogranin A; neuroendocrine tumours; NET; pheochromocytoma

About this article
Title

Chromogranin A (CgA) in adrenal tumours

Journal

Endokrynologia Polska

Issue

Vol 64, No 5 (2013)

Article type

Original paper

Pages

358-362

Published online

2013-11-01

Page views

2235

Article views/downloads

3901

DOI

10.5603/EP.2013.0018

Bibliographic record

Endokrynol Pol 2013;64(5):358-362.

Keywords

adrenal tumours
CgA
chromogranin A
neuroendocrine tumours
NET
pheochromocytoma

Authors

Piotr Glinicki
Wojciech Jeske
Lucyna Bednarek-Papierska
Anna Kasperlik-Załuska
Elżbieta Rosłonowska
Małgorzata Gietka-Czernel
Wojciech Zgliczyński

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