Seminoma laboratory findings

Seminoma Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Seminoma from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
Staging TNM Stage Grouping
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Chest X Ray
CT
MRI
Ultrasound
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy Treatment - Stage I Treatment - Stage II Treatment - Stage III Treatment - Recurrent
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Seminoma laboratory findings On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Seminoma laboratory findings All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Seminoma laboratory findings
CDC on Seminoma laboratory findings
Seminoma laboratory findings in the news
Blogs on Seminoma laboratory findings
Directions to Hospitals Treating Seminoma
Risk calculators and risk factors for Seminoma laboratory findings

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sujit Routray, M.D. [2]

Overview

Common laboratory tests performed in seminoma include complete blood count and blood chemistry tests. Laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of seminoma include abnormal serum tumor marker levels (LDH, HCG).

An elevated/reduced concentration of serum/blood/urinary/CSF/other [lab test] is diagnostic of [disease name].

OR

Laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of [disease name] include [abnormal test 1], [abnormal test 2], and [abnormal test 3].

OR

[Test] is usually normal for patients with [disease name].

OR

Some patients with [disease name] may have elevated/reduced concentration of [test], which is usually suggestive of [progression/complication].

Laboratory Findings

Complete Blood Count

Complete blood count (CBC) measures the number and quality of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.

Blood Chemistry Tests

• Blood chemistry tests that are used to diagnose testicular seminoma include the following:
• Liver function tests:
  • High levels of certain substances in the blood may mean that seminoma has spread to the liver.
• Kidney function tests:
  • It is used before and after orchiectomy.
• Blood chemistry test are often done in preparation for testicular cancer treatments where they create a baseline, used to compare future levels.

Tumor Marker Tests

• Serum tumor marker tests are generally used to check the response to cancer treatment. They can also be used to diagnose testicular cancer.
• The following tumor markers may be measured for testicular seminoma.

• Classical or pure seminoma do not cause an elevated serum alpha fetoprotein.
• Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) may be the only marker that is elevated in some seminomas. The degree of elevation in the serum LDH has prognostic value in advanced seminoma. High LDH levels can indicate that the tumor is large, there is a large amount of cancer in the body, or the cancer is growing quickly. High levels can also mean that a man has advanced seminoma. LDH may also be high with some non-cancerous conditions.
• Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) may be elevated in some cases, but this correlates more to the presence of trophoblast cells within the tumor. HCG can also be high, if the man has liver disease.
• Blood tests may detect the presence of placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) in 50% of cases. However, PLAP cannot usefully stand alone as a marker for seminoma and contributes little to follow-up, due to its rise with smoking.