Serum markers in testicular tumors.

Certain cancer-associated substances are useful in the diagnosis and management of cancer. We have found that the estimation of serum alpha-fetoprotein and beta-human chorionic gonadotropin in patients with testicular tumors is useful. Of 17 patients with germ cell testicular tumors found to have elevated serum markers 3 had seminoma of the testis and all 3 had elevated beta-human chorionic gonadotropin. It is not possible, however, to correlate the histology of testicular tumors and the type of serum markers. All of our patients with elevated markers had active tumor. However, 3 patients with metastatic deposits in the para-aortic lymph nodes did not have elevated serum markers.