Testis cancer is one of the few solid organ malignancies for which reliable serum tumor markers are available to help guide disease management. Human chorionic gonadotropin, alpha fetoprotein, and lactate dehydrogenase play a crucial role in surveillance of seminomatous and non-seminomatous germ cell tumors. This article discusses the role of biochemical markers used in the management of testicular cancer.
Testicular cancer represents approximately 1% of all cancers diagnosed in men and is the most common solid organ malignancy among men aged 15–35 years. Common testicular cancer tumor markers Alpha fetoprotein (AFP) It is a 70 kilodalton single-chain glycoprotein, which in the fetus is synthesized in the yolk sac, liver, and intestine and serves as a major serum binding protein. Peak levels are noted during week 12 to 14 of gestation and then steadily decline so that 1 year after…
