Correlation between the alpha 1-fetoprotein (AFP) concentrations determined in the sera and in the tumour tissues in patients with testicular tumours.

AFP was determined simultaneously in the sera and in the tumorous tissues of 10 patients with testicular tumour. Two seminomas proved to be negative with two methods. Out of the 8 non-seminomas 7 showed increased serum levels and AFP was detectable in the tumour tissues of 6 patients. Staining of AFP in the testicular tumour tissue with an indirect immunoperoxidase reaction has achieved clinical significance only in cases of metastases of unknown primary tumours or of extragonadal germinal cell tumours.