[Alpha fetoprotein and dysgerminaomas]

Abstract

Sera of 128 consecutive patients in whom a malignant testicular tumor or an extragonadal teratoma was thought to be present were tested for alpha 1-fetoprotein (AFP). The AFP results were correlated with the final diagnoses. AFP was normal in all 9 patients with non-malignant testicular disorders and in all 29 patients with seminoma. AFP was elevated in 72% of the patients with non-seminomatous germ cell tumors when tested before treatment was started. At that time the degree of AFP elevation gave little information on the stage of the tumor. However, AFP concentrations reflected the disease course when tested repeatedly. Thus, regular AFP measurements may be of value in monitoring therapy in patients with non-seminomatous germ cell tumors.