Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Diagnosis of primary NETs neuroendocrine tumors is challenging and often late due to tumor heterogeneity, and a wide variety of general symptoms. Low grade NETs are often indolent and have a good prognosis, especially in the early stages.
Twenty-seven cases with neuroendocrine tumors were analyzed. Four patients met the inclusion criteria. Staining intensity was scored using a weak, moderate, or strong scoring system. CD56 was quantified using criteria derived from Her2 cell membrane staining evaluations. All tumors expressed chromogranin A with at least moderate intensity, weak to moderate intensity for synaptophysin and variable CD56 intensity.
Chromogranin A and synaptophysin staining patterns may aid in primary tumor identification. CD56 stain intensity showed an inverse correlation with Tektrotyd uptake in carcinoids. Additional studies merit further investigation for use in clinical settings. The incidence of neuroendocrine tumor diagnosis has been predicted to steadily increase from around 5 cases per , to approximately 7.
Recent studies have shown a persistent upward trend in Asia and Europe as well, with small intestinal and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors NETs being the most prevalent in Europe. This global increase has been in part attributed to a rise in health care performance 2. The best option for detection of NETs is by means of functional imaging, with emphasis on the importance of somatostatin receptor scintigraphy, which characterizes tumors by somatostatin receptor SSTR density 3.
Another membrane staining marker used in conjunction or substitution of one of these two is CD56, a binding glycoprotein with a role in cell-to-cell connection 7 , 8. Chromogranin A is a glycoprotein distributed in secretory vesicles that are expressed in all endocrine and neuroendocrine cells 9.
