Laboratory tests for neuroendocrine tumours

Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) often have a good prognosis and have peculiar biological characteristics, among which the ability to produce and release biologically active substances. Hypersecretion of hormones, biogenic amine s or growth factors often cause severe that are very debilitating. Now sens itive assays for the measurement of these substances have been developed an d this has improved the possibility of patient followup by means of in vitr o examinations. The decision about which in vitro examination to be utilise d for NET management is very difficult because of the NET low incidence, th e very large number of measurable hormones, the difficulty or low patient c ompliance for some diagnostic tests. In this review we describe the most us eful laboratory tests for determining the diagnosis of NET, their prognosti c significance and the clinical value of specific marker evaluation in the follow-up of the NET patient. Particular consideration has been given to bi omarkers for gastroenteropancreatic and sympatho-adrenal system tumours and for prostate and breast cancers with neuroendocrine differentiation.