IHC marker-NSE Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About IHC marker-NSE Test: Booking, Price, and Results
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | Neurone-specific enolase IHC test, NSE immunostain test, NSE immunohistochemistry test, gamma-enolase IHC test |
| Sample Type | Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue block |
| Fasting Required | No |
| Report Time | 7 days |
| Recommended For | All genders and ages; primarily for suspected neuroendocrine tumours or small cell lung cancer |
| Price | Starting at ₹1,920 |
What is an IHC marker-NSE test?
The IHC marker-NSE test is a specialised tissue-based test that detects the presence of neurone-specific enolase (NSE), an enzyme found in nerve cells and neuroendocrine tissues. A doctor typically orders this test when a biopsy or surgical tissue sample needs to be examined for tumours with neuroendocrine features. The sample used is a formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue block, prepared from tissue collected during a biopsy or surgery.
What Does an IHC Marker-NSE Test Measure?
The NSE immunohistochemistry test uses antibodies to detect NSE within a tissue sample. NSE is an enzyme involved in glucose breakdown and is found mainly in neuronal and neuroendocrine cells. The following section explains what the test identifies.
| Component | What It Tells Us |
|---|---|
| NSE expression (positive) | Suggests neuroendocrine or neuronal origin of the tissue |
| NSE expression (negative) | Suggests the tissue does not have neuroendocrine differentiation |
| Staining pattern and intensity | Hel Helps the pathologist classify the tumour type |
The result is qualitative, meaning the test reports whether NSE is present or absent in the tissue, not a numerical value.
Why Is an IHC Marker-NSE Test Done?
This test is ordered when imaging results, symptoms, or earlier tests raise the possibility of a neuroendocrine or nerve-origin tumour.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
A doctor may order a neurone-specific enolase IHC test when a patient presents with any of the following symptoms:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Persistent cough or difficulty breathing
- A mass detected on imaging (such as an abdominal or chest lump)
- Fatigue without a clear cause
- Neurological symptoms such as weakness or altered sensation
- Symptoms pointing to a suspected adrenal or thyroid tumour
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The NSE immunostain helps identify or confirm several tumour types, including:
- Small cell lung cancer
- Neuroendocrine tumours
- Neuroblastoma (a childhood cancer originating in nerve tissue)
- Ganglioneuroma and schwannoma
- Malignant melanoma
- Phaeochromocytoma (a tumour of the adrenal gland)
- Paraganglioma
- Carcinoid tumours
- Medullary thyroid carcinoma
- Merkel cell carcinoma (neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin)
IHC Marker-NSE for Chronic Disease Monitoring
For cancers with neuroendocrine features, such as small cell lung cancer and neuroblastoma, tracking NSE expression helps doctors assess how well treatment is working. Falling NSE levels generally suggest a response to treatment, while rising levels may indicate disease progression or recurrence. For ongoing monitoring, serum-based NSE tests are usually preferred over repeated tissue IHC testing.
How to Prepare and What to Expect
Since the gamma-enolase IHC test is performed on tissue already collected during a biopsy or surgical procedure, preparation is minimal. The following sections explain what to keep in mind.
Do You Need to Fast?
No, fasting is not required for this test. The tissue sample is obtained during a biopsy or surgery, so there are no dietary restrictions linked to the NSE test procedure itself.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
Here are a few practical steps to follow before submitting your tissue sample:
- Bring a detailed clinical history, including your symptoms, previous test results, and relevant medical records, as this is required for the test.
- Carry any previous biopsy reports or imaging results to your appointment.
- Inform your treating doctor about all medications you are currently taking.
- Ensure the tissue block is handed over promptly after collection to avoid delays in processing.
Step-by-Step Procedure
The following steps outline how the NSE immunostain test is carried out, from tissue collection to result generation:
- A doctor collects a tissue sample during a biopsy (using a needle or a small surgical cut) or during a surgical procedure.
- The tissue is placed in formalin to preserve its structure, then embedded in paraffin wax to create a firm block (the FFPE tissue block).
- Thin slices of the tissue are cut from the block and placed on glass slides in the laboratory.
- Antibodies specific to NSE are applied to the tissue slices using the immunohistochemistry (IHC) method.
- A staining process makes any NSE present in the tissue visible under a microscope.
- A pathologist examines the stained slides and issues a report describing the staining pattern.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors may influence the reliability of the test result:
- Poor tissue fixation or delays between sample collection and processing
- Very small tissue samples that may limit analysis
- Prior treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, which can alter protein expression in the tissue
- Technical variables such as antibody quality and laboratory equipment calibration
- The age of the tissue sample (older samples may show altered staining patterns)
Understanding Your IHC Marker-NSE Results
Your pathologist will review the stained tissue slides and report the result as positive or negative. A doctor should always be consulted to interpret the result in the context of your full clinical picture.
| Result | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Positive NSE staining | Suggests the presence of neuroendocrine or neuronal differentiation in the tissue |
| Negative NSE staining | Suggests absence of neuroendocrine features; additional markers may be needed |
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
NSE is not entirely specific to neuroendocrine tumours. It can also be expressed in smooth muscle cells, renal tubule cells, lymphocytes, and muscle epithelial cells. This means a positive result must always be interpreted alongside other markers, such as chromogranin A and synaptophysin, to reach a confident diagnosis.
How to maintain your health during and after the test?
The following general steps support early detection and follow-up care for neuroendocrine conditions:
- Attend regular health check-ups, especially if you have a family history of neuroendocrine or thyroid cancers.
- Report persistent or unexplained symptoms such as weight loss, fatigue, or a new lump to your doctor without delay.
- Follow your oncologist's recommended schedule for follow-up tests if you have a known neuroendocrine condition.
Lupin Diagnostics IHC Marker-NSE Price
The NSE test cost at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹1,920. This test requires a visit to a Lupin Diagnostics centre, as this test requires an FFPE tissue block. Home collection is not available for this test.
| 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
Follow these steps to book your NSE test online at Lupin Diagnostics:
- Select the IHC Marker-NSE test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred centre location.
- Visit the centre at your scheduled time to submit your FFPE tissue block.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time.
Frequently Asked Questions
The IHC marker-NSE test is used to detect whether a tissue sample contains NSE, which helps doctors identify tumours with neuroendocrine or neuronal features. It is commonly ordered to help diagnose small cell lung cancer, neuroblastoma, carcinoid tumours, and related conditions. The result guides the treatment approach chosen by the oncologist.
The tissue sample is obtained during a biopsy or surgical procedure by a doctor or surgeon. It is then fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin to create a block, which is submitted to the laboratory for the NSE test procedure. No separate sample collection visit is required for this step.
No, fasting is not required. Since the test is carried out on a tissue block collected during a medical procedure, there are no dietary restrictions associated with it.
The report is typically available within 7 days. Processing time may vary slightly depending on the complexity of the case and any additional markers being examined alongside the NSE stain.
The NSE immunostain is a useful diagnostic marker, but it is not used in isolation. It is typically read alongside other tissue markers such as chromogranin A and synaptophysin, and the result is interpreted together with imaging, clinical history, and other investigations.
A positive result indicates that NSE is present in the tissue, suggesting that the cells may have neuroendocrine or neuronal features. This finding helps narrow down the tumour type. Your oncologist will explain the implications and discuss next steps based on your full clinical picture.
You should consult an oncologist (a cancer specialist) if your NSE IHC result is abnormal. They will review the result alongside your other tests and clinical history and guide you on any further investigations or treatment decisions.
IHC marker-NSE Test: Booking, Price, and Results
