Serum tumor markers in testicular cancer

Ehrlich, Yaron; Beck, Stephen D.W.; Foster, Richard S.; Bihrle, Richard; Einhorn, Lawrence H.

doi:10.1016/j.urolonc.2010.04.007

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Serum tumor markers in testicular cancer

Yaron Ehrlich, M.D.
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN 46292, USA
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +1-317-274-3458; fax: +1-1-317-274-0174.
Stephen D.W. Beck, M.D.
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN 46292, USA
Richard S. Foster, M.D.
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN 46292, USA
Richard Bihrle, M.D.
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN 46292, USA
Lawrence H. Einhorn, M.D.
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, School of Medicine, Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN 46292, USA
- Lance Armstrong Foundation Professor of Medicine.

Received 11 March 2010; received in revised form 23 April 2010; accepted 26 April 2010. published online 07 September 2010.
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Abstract

Testicular cancer has become a model for a curable neoplasm, where biochemical markers play a critical role. Serum tumor markers are integral in patient management and contributes to the diagnosis, staging, and risk assessment, as well as evaluation of response to therapy and detection of relapse. We review their biochemistry, biology, and clinical use in the setting of localized and metastatic disease. The integration of tumor markers in prognostic models as well as the significance of marker kinetics during chemotherapy is discussed.

Keywords: Testicular neoplasia, Serum tumor markers, Chemotherapy, Prognosis