Laboratory measurement of vanillylmandelic acid (VMA), the end product of epinephrine, norepinephrine metabolism, and homovanillic acid (HVA), a terminal metabolite of dopamine, and 5-Hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-HIAA) the end metabolite of serotonin is used to enhance clinical diagnosis and management of catecholamine-secreting neurochromaffin tumors such as neuroblastomas. Neuroblastoma usually emerges in children and accounts for 7–10% of childhood cancer; approximately 90% of these tumors produce catecholamines (CAs). Pheochromocytoma is a rare neuroendocrine tumor arising from the chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla and characterized by producing excessive amounts of CAs and their metabolites.
Jasem’s solution is offering simultaneously quantification of HVA, VMA and 5-HIAA using LC-MS/MS technology in 10 minutes subsequent to dilute and shoot sample preparation procedure.