Tumour marker tests for testicular cancer
Tumour markers are measured from a blood test. They can help diagnose some testicular cancers and show how well treatment is working.
What are tumour markers?
Some testicular cancers make chemicals or proteins called tumour markers. These are released into the blood. Doctors can measure them with simple blood tests.
Not everyone with testicular cancer have raised markers. Most non‑seminomas and some seminomas have raised levels of tumour markers.
We have information about the types of testicular cancer.
How are tumour markers used?
Tumour markers can be used to:
- diagnose testicular cancer
- monitor you after surgery
- check how you are responding to treatment
- check that the cancer has not come back.
You will have blood tests to measure tumour markers before surgery to remove the testicle. You will have them tested again usually a week after surgery. Even if you do not have raised tumour markers before surgery, you may still have them checked afterwards.
If the tumour markers fall quickly after the operation, it can be a good sign that all the cancer has been removed. This helps the doctors plan your treatment.
You will get used to having regular blood tests to check the levels of your tumour markers. It’s very important to attend your appointments to have them checked.
See also
Types of tumour markers
There are three main tumour markers:
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)
Alpha–fetoprotein (AFP) can be raised in non-seminomas but not in seminomas.
Human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG)
Human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) can be raised in non-seminomas and sometimes in seminomas.
Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH)
Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) can be raised in both seminomas and non-seminomas.
About our information
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References
Below is a sample of the sources used in our testicular cancer information. If you would like more information about the sources we use, please contact us at cancerinformationteam@macmillan.org.uk
European Association of Urology. Guidelines on Cancer. 2016. Available from: www.baus.org.uk/_userfiles/pages/files/professionals/sections/oncology/EAU2015-Testicular-Cancer.pdf (accessed August 2018)
European Society for Medical Oncology, eUpdate. Testicular Seminoma and Non-Seminoma Treatment Recommendations. June 2017. Available from: www.esmo.org/Guidelines/Genitourinary-Cancers/Testicular-Seminoma-and-Non-Seminoma/eUpdate-Treatment-Recommendation (accessed August 2018).
Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network, Management of adult testicular germ cell tumours. Available from: www.sign.ac.uk/sign-124-management-of-adult-testicular-germ-cell-tumours.html (accessed August 2018).
UpToDate. Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and staging of testicular germ cell tumors. January 2018. Available from: www.uptodate.com/contents/clinical-manifestations-diagnosis-and-staging-of-testicular-germ-cell-tumors (accessed August 2018).
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Reviewers
This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancer Information Development team. It has been reviewed by expert medical and health professionals and people living with cancer. It has been approved by Senior Medical Editor, Dr Jim Barber, Consultant Clinical Oncologist.
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