Specimen: 50 mL (10 mL min.) aliquot of 24 hour urine. Collect urine with appropriate volume of 50% HCl to maintain pH between 1-2. Do not use concentrated HCl. Record 24 hour volume on test request form and urine container. Ship refrigerated or frozen. Patient should strictly avoid Theophylline, chocolate, vanilla, banana, alcoholic beverages, tea/coffee, tobacco and strenuous exercise at least 72 hrs before and during specimen collection.

Stability (Room): 8 hrs

Stability (Refrigerated): 7 days

Stability (Frozen): 30 days

Method: HPLC-EC

Comment: Initial testing for pheochromocytoma should always include measurement of plasma free metanephrines or urinary fractionated metanephrines or both. Recommended method to measure is LC-MS/MS OR HPLC-EC Also see PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA PROFILE.

Price: Contact Medilab

Turnaround time (TAT): 10 – 15 days

Usage: Elevated values of VMA along with other catecholamine metabolites are suggestive of catecholamine secreting tumor like Neuroblastoma, Pheochromocytoma and other Neural crest tumors. VMA levels may also be useful in monitoring patients who are also treated. Elevated levels are suggestive of Pheochromocytoma but not diagnostic.

Specialty: Oncologist

Disease: Cancer

Components:

Courier Charges:

Home Collection: Available

Department: HPLC

Pre-test Information: Patient should strictly avoid Theophylline, chocolate, vanilla, banana, alcoholic beverages, tea/coffee, tobacco and strenuous exercise at least 72 hrs before and during specimen collection.