Wallach's Interpretation of Diagnostic Tests: Pathways to Arriving at a Clinical Diagnosis (1280 page)

   A member of the secretin–glucagon family; highest levels in the gut and nervous system. A neuropeptide that functions as a neuromodulator and neurotransmitter. A potent vasodilator that regulates smooth muscle activity, epithelial cell secretion, and blood flow in the gastrointestinal tract. Functions as a neurohormone and paracrine mediator, being released from nerve terminals and acting locally on receptor-bearing cells

   
Normal range:
0–60 pg/mL

   Use

   Detection of VIP-secreting tumors

   To detect occult metastases

   To evaluate the success of surgical or drug therapies

   Interpretation

Increased In

   VIPomas

   Neural crest tumors in children (ganglioneuroblastoma, ganglioneuroma, and neuroblastoma)

   Pancreatic islet cell hyperplasia

   Liver disease

   MEN type I, pheochromocytoma

   MTC

   Branchiogenic carcinoma