A tumor marker linked to small-cell lung cancer and neuroendocrine tumors.
Neuron-specific enolase, or NSE, is an enzyme found mainly in nerve cells and in certain hormone-producing (neuroendocrine) cells. Small amounts circulate in the blood.
It is used as a tumor marker for cancers that arise from these cell types, and also has uses in some neurological settings.
NSE is used mainly to monitor people diagnosed with small cell lung cancer or neuroblastoma, alongside imaging. It is not a screening test for healthy people.
Because NSE is present in red blood cells, even slight breakdown of cells in the sample can raise the result artificially. A high or rising level always needs a doctor to interpret in context.
Aniva reads your result against research-backed ranges, not just the lab's wide normal. The reference shown below is specific to this biomarker.
Ranges are guidance only. NSE is an upper-cutoff marker.
| Group | Common upper guide (SI) |
|---|---|
| Adults | up to about 16.3 µg/L (ng/mL) |
The exact cutoff depends on the assay. Aligned to German laboratory practice (DGKL).
Haemolysis, where red blood cells break apart in the sample, falsely raises NSE, so prompt handling matters. Some benign neurological conditions can also raise it. Results from different assays are not interchangeable.
For lung cancer, sometimes read alongside Cyfra 21-1 and ProGRP, and always with imaging and clinical history.
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