title: Neuron-specific enolase in the diagnosis of small-cell lung cancer with pleural effusion: a negative report.
abstract: We measured the concentration of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in the serum and pleural fluid of 53 patients with pleural effusions, including seven patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). High levels (above 12.5 micrograms.l-1) of NSE in pleural fluid were observed in five patients with SCLC (sensitivity 71%). However, pleural fluid NSE levels were also increased in five patients with other types of cancer and in four patients with non-malignant inflammatory diseases (specificity 80%). We conclude that although SCLC with pleural effusion can be associated with elevated pleural fluid NSE activity, this increase in enzyme levels is not specific for malignancy.
authors.affiliation: Fourth Department of Medicine, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pettersson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Klockars
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fröseth
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004796:Clinical Enzyme Tests; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000032:analysis*; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000201:enzymology / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase