What is NSE?
NSE is a glycolytic enzyme that is often found at elevated levels in cancers originating from neuroendocrine cells (cells related to the nervous system and endocrine system). These cancers include:
- Small cell lung cancer (SCLC)
- Neuroblastoma
- Pheochromocytoma
NSE is considered a tumour marker used to help diagnose and monitor the treatment response of small cell lung cancer, which is an aggressive form of lung cancer.
What Can NSE Be Used to Diagnose?
- NSE is the best tumour marker for diagnosing and monitoring small cell lung cancer (SCLC), which has a poor prognosis and spreads rapidly.
- Elevated NSE levels are often found in cancers originating from neuroendocrine cells, such as SCLC, neuroblastoma, and pheochromocytoma.
Who Should Get NSE Testing?
- Regular smokers with a smoking history of 20 pack-years or more, aged 50-80 years.
- (Pack-years = number of packs per day × number of years smoked, must be ≥20).
- Frequent exposure to second-hand smoke.
- Former smokers aged 50-80 years who had a history of smoking over 20 pack-years and quit less than 15 years ago.
Normal NSE Levels
0 – 16.3 ng/mL
Preparation Before Undergoing a NSE Test
Preparation Before Undergoing a NSE Test
