I never had this test done before “ Chromogranin A, Serum“. It is 108 and it should be less than 93. I am reading online and it says it’s related to “neuroendocrine tumors”. Is this an indication that I might have neuroendocrine prostate cancer?
Thanks for any insights on this.
One reading or 2 readings are not enough to make a trend. You need to keep testing Chromogranin A every 3 months to see if the readings are steadily going up. Also check LDH every 3 months to see if it is going up steadily. Another blood test, serun Neuron specific Enolase (NSE) if high , it indicates likelyhood of Neuro Endocrine trans differentiation.
I know it is hassle to do these tests but thats how you can catch if your cancer is changing into "treatment emergent Neuro-Endocrine type or not.
One other thing...check if your X Rays of bones are showing any LYTIC lesions ?
Thanks, LearnAll for your reply.
I just did an 18 F psma scan and found 6 LN Mets on pelvis & Abdomen. No bone Mets on bone scan or ct scans.
My MO will do a biopsy on the LN. Will the biopsy show of it is neuroendocrine tumors? Or should I keep doing these tests?. I also did this test for the first time (Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA)) and it was almost 9 ( range from 0-5).
Biopsy will really help to know more about possible treatment emergent neuro endocrine differentiation. good luck.
Are you taking any proton pump inhibitors?
Not on any medication. The ONLY treatments I had was RP & SRT. never been in anything else since DX 10/2012. never on ADT as of now.
Reason why I ask is that taking any acid reducing pill such as nexium would have an effect on results.
Thank you. I am not taking anything really except IP6 supplement, magnesium and D3
I believe NEPC comes way after (and not always) beeing on ADT
The Chromogranin A blood level is not specific enough alone to diagnose NEPC.
I would be looking at imaging to see if there are visceral/organ mets, bulky tumors, and lytic bone mets. PSA levels are usually lower in relationship to tumor burden with NEPC. The only sure way to know is with a biopsy.
No, it isn't. Chromogranin A is just one of several biomarkers. Others include synaptophysin and neuronal-specific enolase. Blood tests are only suggestive. If you want to be sure, you need a biopsy with a histological and IHC analysis.
Sent you a DM
I didn't get it- please re-send.
Just resent -- thanks
Hi Tall-AllenYour blog on neuroendocrine / small cell trials is 4 years old.
Are there any important updates that you can share?
Thanks Andrew
It's current. I update it as more clinical trials open up.
In addition to the other comments, note that you can (and I did) have neuroendocrine cancer with chromogranin-a in the normal range and an undetectable PSA. In my experience, a biopsy will confirm neuroendocrine or not, but can't always identify the source of the cancer.
Hello, my husband who is 47 was diagnosed in November of 2018 with neuroendocrine prostate cancer. He went through 6 rounds of chemo (carboplatin and etoposide) and 10 rounds of radiation. Today he is doing great he’s on zitiga, he sees his oncologist once a month and is on Xgeva shots every 3 months and his urologist gives him Trelstar every 6 months. He also has to have scans done every 3 months (CT scans of chest, pelvis and abdomen and mri of his brain) we have been so lucky and blessed that no tumors has shown on scans. His oncologist is very impressed with his treatment and blood work. My husband is still active just this past weekend he went campingn on the beach with our youngest son
Great news, give me hope as I have same NEPC diagnosed this April
Thats not screamingly high result for CHR A and could be due to your prostate adenocarcinoma. Other comments are relevant.
High-grade metastatic neuroendocrine carcinoma
177LU-DTPA-SC16 attaching DLL3 for neuroendocrine cancer
Zytiga patients more prone to neuroendocrine cancer? Is this true? 
Xtandi alongside chemo for neuroendocrine cancer? 
Neuroendocrine cancer % in APC patients is not rare, it’s becoming common. 
