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Biological markers in testicular germ-cell tumors
Article published in Urologia Polska 2007/60/3.

authors

Agata Wlazło, Agnieszka Chaładaj-Kujawska, Tomasz Demkow
Centrum Onkologii – Instytut im. M. Skłodowskiej-Curie w Warszawie

keywords

testicle, germ-cell tumours, tumour markers

summary

Germ-cell tumours of the testicle are the most common neoplasms that develop in males between the age of 25-40. Biological tumour markers are one of the basic elements used in clinical practice in the diagnosis, monitoring of the efficacy of treatment and long term observations of patients. The aim of the study is to present the latest observations on the use of tumour markers in clinical practice. The literature was reviewed in this study, in order to find information regarding tumour markers in germ-cell neoplasms. The authors paid particular attention to the use of markers in clinical practice as well as the so-called \'new\' markers. Tumour markers play a key role in the diagnosis and in the planning of treatment of germ-cell tumours. Markers obtained from the serum – AFP (alfafetoprotein), hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) and LDH (lactase dehydrogenase) are well known and have an independent diagnostic and prognostic value. Establishing their level before the treatment is crucial and has direct influence over treatment. As new immunohistochemic and cytologic methods are developed, new tumour markers are looked for. The substances discovered so far failed to be completely satisfying and \'new\' markers in germ-cell tumors only serve as an auxiliary role.

references

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correspondence

Agata Wlazło
Klinika Nowotworów Układu Moczowego
ul. Roentgena 5
02-781 Warszawa
tel. (022) 643 92 31
wylazlo@poczta.fm