RESUMEN
The utility of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) for the diagnosis and management of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is analyzed. Serum concentrations of NSE were measured in 69 healthy adults, 106 patients with non-neoplastic pneumopathy (NNP), 16 with pulmonary metastasis of extrapulmonary origin (PMEO), 126 with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and 77 with SCLC. Repeated analyses were carried out for patients in the last group during and after treatment, and survival time was recorded. NSE was high in 77.6% of patients with SCLC [50% in cases with limited disease (LD) and 93.6% in those with extensive disease (ED)]. NSE was high in 10.3% of those with NSCLC, in 11.5% of those with PMEO, and in 2.8% of those with NNP. NSE decreased 100% in SCLC patients achieving full remission after treatment and in 25% of those responding poorly. Later, this marker increased in 81.2% of those experiencing relapse, and in 6.2% of these the increased preceded symptoms. Initial NSE concentrations had prognostic value (p = 0.003) that was independent of disease stage (LD or ED). NSE is of great diagnostic and prognostic value in SCLC, accurately reflecting tumor size. Posttreatment changes closely parallel disease activity.