Is NSE high lung cancer?

NSE (neuron-specific enolase) elevation does not directly indicate lung cancer.

Although NSE is usually associated with tumors of neuroendocrine origin and levels are significantly higher in small cell lung cancer than in other types of lung cancer, it may also be elevated in diseases such as neuroblastoma. In addition, NSE levels may also increase when hemolysis occurs in normal specimens.

NSE elevation alone is not a diagnostic basis for lung cancer. For patients with high NSE, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly and combine other tumor marker test results and imaging studies to determine the cause. Further examination and treatment may be required according to the doctor's advice.