Tumor markers of germ cell tumors
Germ cell tumors are a type of cancer that develops from germ cells, which are cells that normally develop into sperm in males or eggs in females. These tumors can occur in various parts of the body, including the testes, ovaries, mediastinum, and brain. Tumor markers are substances that are produced by cancer cells or by the body in response to cancer. In the case of germ cell tumors, several tumor markers may be elevated and used for diagnosis, monitoring, and prognosis. Some of the key tumor markers associated with germ cell tumors include:
- Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP):
- AFP is a protein that is normally produced by the fetus during development. Elevated levels of AFP in adults can be indicative of certain types of germ cell tumors, particularly non-seminomatous germ cell tumors of the testes, including embryonal carcinoma and yolk sac tumor.
- AFP levels may also be elevated in other conditions such as liver cancer, cirrhosis, and certain fetal abnormalities, so additional testing and clinical evaluation are necessary to determine the cause of elevated AFP levels.
- Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG):
- β-hCG is a hormone that is produced by syncytiotrophoblast cells in the placenta during pregnancy. Elevated levels of β-hCG can be seen in some types of germ cell tumors, particularly choriocarcinoma, which is a rare and aggressive form of germ cell tumor.
- β-hCG levels may also be elevated in other conditions such as pregnancy, testicular cancer, and certain non-germ cell tumors.
- Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH):
- LDH is an enzyme that is found in many tissues in the body, including the liver, muscles, and blood cells. Elevated levels of LDH may be seen in various types of cancer, including germ cell tumors.
- LDH levels are less specific to germ cell tumors compared to AFP and β-hCG and may be elevated in a wide range of conditions, including tissue damage, inflammation, and other cancers.
These tumor markers are often used in combination with imaging studies, such as ultrasound, CT scans, and MRI, as well as biopsy results, to diagnose and monitor germ cell tumors. Monitoring changes in tumor marker levels over time can also help assess treatment response and detect recurrence of the disease. However, it’s important to note that tumor marker levels can be influenced by factors other than cancer, so they are not definitive diagnostic tests on their own and should be interpreted in the context of the patient’s clinical presentation and other diagnostic findings.