Procalcitonin expression in patients with large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung

Abstract Objective Procalcitonin (PCT) has received much attention as a serum marker for bacterial infection. Elevated PCT is occasionally seen in severe trauma, heatstroke, and neoplastic diseases, including lung cancer with neuroendocrine component. Results In the present study, we evaluated expression specimen of pulmonary tumors, comparing large cell carcinoma (LCNEC), carcinoid, small (SCLC). Pathological specimens 10 LCNEC, 4 7 SCLC cases were immunochemical staining PCT. Clinical characteristics levels C-reactive protein also evaluated. We observed positive 5 (50%) LCNEC 2 carcinoid that surgically resected. Whereas not elevated patients PCT-positive two out three high tumor had reflected disease progression. SCLC, was detected or serum. This first immunohistochemical study specimens. concluded that, may be indicative activity serve biomarker.