Spine Tumors: Test and Diagnosis

Laboratory parameters of the 1st order – obligatory laboratory tests.

  • Small blood count
  • Inflammatory parameters – CRP (C-reactive protein) or ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate).
  • Alkaline phosphatase (AP) isoenzymes, ostase, urinary calcium (tumor hypercalcemia (synonym: tumor-induced hypercalcemia (calcium excess), TIH) is one of the most common symptoms in paraneoplastic syndromes), PTHrP (parathyroid hormone-related protein; the constellation with decreased parathyroid hormone (PTH) and increased PTHrP is typical for tumor hypercalcemia) – if bone metastases are suspected.
  • Tumor markers – CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen), TPA (tissue polypeptide antigen); PSA.
  • Deoxypyridinoline (DPD) – is > 98% bone specific – a good index of bone resorption rate (elevated in: peri- and postmenopausal osteoporosis (early detection possible if bone densitometry is still normal); bone metastases; plasmocytoma (multiple myeloma); Paget’s disease; primary hyperparathyroidism (parathyroid hyperfunction).