Tumur Markers

Question 1

Testicular Tumor presentation

Answer 1

• Firm and painless mass in scrotum
• Feeling of heaviness
• Occasionally fluid accumulation in scrotum

Question 2

Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)

1. What cells normally makes this?
2. What testicular cancers is this associated with?
3. What other malignancies/ non malignancies is this associated with?

Answer 2

1. Normally made by placental cells

2. ↑ ↑ in choriocarcinoma; ↑ in some cases of classic seminoma, embryonal carcinoma

Question 3

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)

1. What cells normally makes this?
2. What testicular cancers is this associated with?
3. What other malignancies/ non malignancies is this associated with?

Answer 3

Normally made by fetal yolk sac and other cells

↑ in yolk sac tumors

Question 4

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)

1. What cells normally makes this?
2. What testicular cancers is this associated with?
3. What other malignancies/ non malignancies is this associated with?

Answer 4

↑ in 40-60% of both seminomas and nonseminomatous germ cell tumors

Question 5

Placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP)

1. What cells normally makes this?
2. What testicular cancers is this associated with?
3. What other malignancies/ non malignancies is this associated with?

Answer 5

Elevated in about 40% of pts with seminoma

Not very sensitive or specific, also elevated in smokers and in pregnancy