Neuron Specific Enolase

The neuron-specific enolase test is an immunoassay technique where doctors take 5 ml of blood from the patient for testing. It is useful for checking how different types of neural crest tumours such as small cell lung carcinoma are growing. In general, doctors use to check how the therapies they prescribe are working post-surgery.

The symptoms that determine whether doctors should perform this examination are cough, weakness, sudden loss of weight, difficulty breathing, and small cell carcinoma screening. This is a useful follow-up testing procedure.

If the treatment process was done well, the serum concentration drops within 24 hours of half-life. The test is also useful for checking NSE levels in the blood. It also helps with the diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumours.