NSE (Lungs)

At IntroLab in Belgrade, we are dedicated to providing the most accurate and reliable results. If you suspect a malignant condition or wish to monitor your treatment progress, scheduling an NSE (lung) test can be an important step in managing your health.

What is NSE (lungs)?

Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) is an enzyme predominantly present in nerve cells and neuroendocrine tissue cells. Its unique distribution makes it a common biomarker for certain types of tumors, particularly in cases of neuroendocrine tumors and small-cell lung carcinomas.

Why is measuring this parameter important?

Measuring NSE is important for diagnosing and monitoring certain types of cancer. NSE is particularly useful in cases of small cell lung carcinoma, where high levels of this enzyme can indicate disease progression. Additionally, NSE levels can be elevated in other conditions, including stroke, severe trauma, epileptic seizures, and myocardial infarction.

After successful therapy, NSE levels in serum are expected to decrease within approximately 24 hours. If NSE concentrations do not decrease, it may indicate that the tumor has not responded to treatment. An increase in NSE levels can indicate that the tumor is progressing or, in patients who previously had negative NSE values, a recurrence of the disease.

Interpreting NSE test results

The results of the neuron-specific enolase (NSE) test can be influenced by various factors, which can lead to potentially false elevated values, especially if they do not match clinical findings or other tests. Conditions such as epileptic seizures, brain injuries, encephalitis, and stroke can result in false positive results if NSE is used for the diagnosis or monitoring of cancer. On the other hand, tumors that produce NSE can be a source of false positives if NSE is used to assist in the diagnosis of neurological disorders. Additionally, hemolysis, proton pump inhibitor therapy, hemolytic anemia, liver failure, and terminal renal insufficiency can lead to falsely high NSE values.