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Name

5-Hydroxy-indol acetic acid

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Definition

5-HIAA is a urine test that measures the amount of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), a breakdown product of a hormone called serotonin. Levels above 15 mg/24 hour indicate malignant carcinoid tumors (argentaffinomas).

Argentaffinomas may also appear in the stomach, appendix, or lower intestine.

Resource

Title: National Cancer Institute
NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms

Alternate Names

5-HIAA

Abstractor Notes

None

Histology

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Primary Sites

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Glossary