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Germ‐cell tumors in patients with apparently normal testes
Author(s) -
Burt Michael E.,
Javadpour Nasser
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19810401)47:7<1911::aid-cncr2820470732>3.0.co;2-j
Subject(s) - medicine , germ cell tumors , germ cell , pathology , seminoma , gastroenterology , endocrinology , chemotherapy , biology , biochemistry , gene
Germ‐cell tumors occasionally occur in patients with clinically normal testes. Although data exist correlating serial serum hCG and AFP in germ‐cell neoplasms of testicular origin, the literature is sparse concerning the patients presenting with clinically normal testes. Presented in this report are data to confirm the reliability and usefulness of serial serum hCG and AFP levels in those patients with extragonadal germ‐cell tumors and apparently normal testes. Six patients with nonseminomatous extragonadal tumors are presented. Serial serum hCG and AFP levels correlated with the clinical course in each of the patients. The serum hCG and/or AFP decreased with response to therapy and increased with progression of disease. It is concluded that serial serum hCG and AFP determinations are very useful parameters to evaluate and follow the course of disease in this group of patients.