Evaluation of PS beta 1G and other tumor markers in germ cell tumors of the testis.

Pregnancy Specific beta 1 Glycoprotein (PS beta 1G), human choriogonadotropin (hCG), alpha foeto protein (AFP) and Carcino Embryonic Antigen (CEA) were assayed in 58 patients with active germ cell tumors and 20 patients in complete clinical and radiological remission. The markers were negative in all the cases in remission as well as in one case of pure teratoma. The positivity rate of the four markers together is 75%, which is better than for any marker alone. All the markers except AFP seem ubiquitous with respect to the histological classification. The highest positivity rate is obtained for hCG in all the histological types. PS beta 1G is related to hCG but its positivity rate is quite lower. AFP is mainly related to embryonal carcinoma but can be associated with any type of tumor except seminoma. CEA is less frequently positive, always associated with other markers and seems therefore useless for the diagnosis of germ cell tumors.