IHC Marker-Chromogranin A Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About IHC Marker-Chromogranin A Test
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | CgA IHC, Chromogranin A Immunostain, Chromogranin A by Immunohistochemistry, CgA Staining |
| Sample Type | Tissue biopsy (formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue block) |
| Fasting Required | No |
| Report Time | 7 days |
| Recommended For | All genders and ages when a neuroendocrine tumour is suspected |
| Price | Starting at ₹1,920 |
What Is an IHC Marker-Chromogranin A Test?
The IHC Marker-Chromogranin A test is a specialised laboratory test that detects a protein called 'chromogranin A' in tissue samples. It is also known as CgA IHC or chromogranin A immunostain. Doctors order this test when they suspect a neuroendocrine tumour, which is a type of growth arising from cells that produce hormones in response to nerve signals. The sample used is a tissue biopsy, typically collected during a medical procedure or surgery.
What Does an IHC Marker-Chromogranin A Test Measure?
This test uses a technique called immunohistochemistry (IHC), in which antibodies linked to a colour-producing dye are applied to a thin slice of tissue. The dye stains chromogranin A wherever it is present, allowing a pathologist to examine the pattern under a microscope.
The key components assessed are listed below:
| Component | What It Tells the Doctor |
|---|---|
| Chromogranin A (CgA) protein | Whether neuroendocrine cells are present in the tumour tissue |
| IHC staining pattern | The distribution and intensity of staining, which helps classify the tumour type |
Results are reported as positive or negative, not as a number.
Why Is an IHC Marker-Chromogranin A Test Done?
This test is ordered when a patient presents with symptoms or imaging findings that suggest a neuroendocrine tumour. It helps pathologists confirm the diagnosis and guide further management.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
Several symptoms may prompt a doctor to request this test. These include:
- Flushing of the face and neck without an obvious cause
- Wheezing or unexplained shortness of breath
- Abdominal cramping with frequent, watery diarrhoea
- Unexplained weight loss
- Persistent headaches or heart palpitations
- Episodes of sweating or raised blood pressure
- Fatigue that does not improve with rest
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The Chromogranin A IHC test can help identify several tumour types. These include:
- Carcinoid tumours of the gastrointestinal tract
- Phaeochromocytomas (tumours of the adrenal glands) and paragangliomas
- Pituitary adenomas and islet cell tumours of the pancreas
- Medullary thyroid carcinoma and Merkel cell carcinoma (a rare skin cancer)
- Small cell carcinoma of the lung
- Prostate carcinoma with partial neuroendocrine differentiation
IHC Marker-Chromogranin A Test for Chronic Disease Monitoring
Chromogranin A is an established biomarker in patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms. When a neuroendocrine tumour has been diagnosed, this test may be repeated during and after treatment to assess how well therapy is working. Regular monitoring helps the treating team make timely decisions about ongoing care.
How to Prepare and What to Expect
No special preparation is needed for this test, but a few practical steps will help the process go smoothly.
Do You Need to Fast?
No, fasting is not required for the IHC Marker-Chromogranin A test. Because the sample is a tissue biopsy rather than blood or urine, dietary restrictions do not apply.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
The following steps will help ensure accurate results and a smooth experience:
- Bring a detailed clinical history, including your symptoms, previous test results, and any imaging reports, as this is required for the test.
- Tell your doctor about all medications you are taking. Proton pump inhibitors (medicines that reduce stomach acid), corticosteroids, and certain chemotherapy drugs can influence chromogranin A levels.
- Bring previous biopsy reports and imaging scans to give the pathologist important context.
- Follow any pre-procedure instructions your surgeon or treating doctor provides for the biopsy itself.
Step-by-Step Procedure
The collection and testing process follows these steps:
- A doctor obtains a tissue sample through a biopsy or during surgery. The method depends on where the suspected tumour is located.
- The tissue is placed in a formalin solution, which preserves it, and then embedded in paraffin wax to form a firm block (FFPE block).
- The block or prepared slides are sent to the Lupin Diagnostics pathology laboratory.
- In the lab, very thin slices of the tissue are cut and placed on glass slides. Specific antibodies are applied to target the chromogranin A protein.
- An enzyme and a colour-producing chemical are added, causing any areas with chromogranin A to appear visibly stained under a microscope.
- A qualified pathologist reviews the staining pattern alongside the patient's clinical history and issues the final report.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
- The size and type of the tumour can affect how clearly the staining appears.
- Improper tissue fixation or delays in processing the biopsy sample may reduce accuracy.
- The quality of immunohistochemical reagents used in the laboratory matters.
- Poorly differentiated (aggressive) neuroendocrine tumours may show weaker staining than well-differentiated ones.
- The pathologist's experience in interpreting IHC patterns plays an important role.
Understanding Your IHC Marker-Chromogranin A Test Results
Results from this test should always be reviewed by the treating doctor or specialist.
| Result | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Positive | Chromogranin A detected; suggests neuroendocrine differentiation in the tissue |
| Negative | Chromogranin A not detected; neuroendocrine origin is less likely but not entirely excluded |
Disclaimer: These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your age, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.
Results During Special Conditions
Certain conditions may affect the interpretation of chromogranin A findings:
- Poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas may show weak or absent staining even when neuroendocrine tumour cells are present. This means a negative result does not always rule out the diagnosis.
- Kidney or liver impairment, as well as the use of proton pump inhibitors, is known to affect circulating chromogranin A levels and may provide important context when interpreting results.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
There are no specific lifestyle factors that directly influence chromogranin A expression in tumour tissue. However, the following general steps support overall health:
- Attend all follow-up appointments with your oncologist as scheduled.
- Keep a record of your symptoms and share any changes with your doctor promptly.
- If additional tests are recommended after a positive result, complete them without delay to allow timely and accurate staging.
Lupin Diagnostics IHC Marker- Chromogranin A Test Price
The IHC Marker-Chromogranin A test cost at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹1,920. This test requires a tissue sample obtained through a medical procedure, so home collection is not available. Please visit your nearest Lupin Diagnostics centre or arrange for your biopsy tissue block to be submitted through your treating doctor.
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| BHOPAL | 1920 |
| CHENNAI | 1920 |
| HYDERABAD | 1920 |
| KOLKATA | 1920 |
| NAVI MUMBAI | 1920 |
| PUNE | 1920 |
Disclaimer: Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
Booking the IHC Marker-Chromogranin A test online is straightforward:
- Select the test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred centre location.
- Visit the centre at your scheduled time for sample submission, or ask your treating doctor to arrange dispatch of the FFPE tissue block.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time.
Frequently Asked Questions
This test detects chromogranin A protein in a tissue sample using immunohistochemistry. It is used to identify neuroendocrine tumours and to help classify the tumour type. Doctors also use it to monitor how well treatment is working in patients already diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumour.
The sample is a piece of tissue obtained through a biopsy or during surgery. It is not a blood or urine sample. The tissue is processed into a formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) block and sent to the laboratory for staining and analysis.
No, home collection is not possible for this test. The sample requires a clinical procedure to collect tissue, which must be carried out by a qualified medical professional at a hospital, clinic, or diagnostic centre.
At Lupin Diagnostics, the report is typically available within 7 days of the laboratory receiving the tissue block. The pathologist reviews the staining results alongside your clinical history before issuing the report.
A positive result indicates that Chromogranin A was detected in the tissue, which suggests the presence of a neuroendocrine tumour. Your doctor will use this finding along with other tests and clinical information to make a confirmed diagnosis.
A negative result means Chromogranin A was not detected in the tested sample. However, some neuroendocrine tumours, particularly poorly differentiated ones, may show weak or absent staining. If symptoms persist, your doctor may request additional markers such as synaptophysin.
Yes. A detailed clinical history, including your symptoms, previous test results, imaging reports, and any earlier biopsy findings, is required for this test. Bringing this information helps the pathologist interpret the staining results accurately within your specific clinical context.
IHC Marker-Chromogranin A Test: Booking, Price, and Results
