The usefulness of the serum neuron specific enolase (NSE) level for the diagnosis and
evaluation of the therapeutic response was studied in patients with small cell carcinoma
of the lung (SCCL). In this study, the NSE was determined by radioimmunoassay in 13
cases of SCCL, and also, for comparison, in 19 normal controls and in 51 cases of
various lung cancer other than SCCL(non-SCCL).
The mean of the serum NSE levels in patients with SCCL, particularly in those with
extensive disease, was significantly higher than that in the controller in those with
non-SCCL. The NSE levels showed a significantly fall after chemotherapy in those
responded favorably, in contrast to an elevation in nonresponders. These facts suggest
that the serum NSE level is a useful marker in patients with SCCL for the diagnosis,
staging of the disease and monitoring the response to therapy.
|