Seminoma laboratory findings

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

Overview

Laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of seminoma include Complete blood count (CBC), white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Kidney function tests is used before and after orchiectomy. Serum tumor marker tests are generally used to check the response to cancer treatment. The following tumor markers may be measured for testicular seminoma.Laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of seminoma include abnormal serum tumor marker levels (LDH, HCG). Some patients with seminoma may have elevated concentration of LDH. Among some patients with seminoma may have elevated concentration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Blood tests may detect the presence of placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) among 50% of patients with seminoma.

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.

Tumor Marker Tests

• Serum tumor marker tests are generally used to check the response to cancer treatment. 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.