Can certain examinations detect testicular cancer through markers in the blood?
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QUESTION:
Let’s clear the air when and for all of Dr.P! What’s the deal along with pregnancy examinations detecting testicular cancer? – Mr.Ballsy
ANSWER:
Testicular cancer is among the rare cancers that Can easily secrete “tumor markers,” or molecules that Can easily be detected in the blood. The 3 common tumor markers for testicular cancer are AFP (alpha-fetoprotein), HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) and LDH (lactate dehydrogenase). You Can easily know much more concerning each of these tumor markers here.
A recent story on the internet highlighted the story of a young man that was “diagnosed” along with testicular cancer by making use of an over-the-counter pregnancy test. While I don’t understand this patient, I’m sure his story is true–I’ve had a couple of patients in my method that had a “positive” pregnancy test prior to coming to notice me. However, this young man, Byron Geldard, had doctors in Cambridgeshire, England, puzzled as soon as he presented along with ache in his edge and an uncertain malignancy that had spread about the body.
(This story was reported in The Telegraph, March 9: Teenager Diagnosed along with Testicular Cancer After Pregnancy Test). The doctors in Great Britain used a pregnancy test to confirm the diagnosis of testicular cancer in Byron – developing a sensational news story.
While it worked in this circumstance, an over-the-counter pregnancy test is not a Excellent test to diagnose testicular cancer. Learning that testicular cancer would certainly be the a lot of common malignancy in an 18-year-old man and purchasing straightforward blood examinations could have actually additionally confirmed the diagnosis of testicular cancer in Byron. Because this story has actually been plastered about the internet and social media, here’s the naked truth concerning HCG, pregnancy examinations and testicular cancer…
Pregnancy examinations job by detecting HCG in the urine – the very same healthy protein that Can easily be secreted by some testicular tumors. So, if you have actually a testicular tumor and it secretes HCG, a house pregnancy test might confirm that diagnosis. However, HCG is just rarely secreted by testicular tumors:
• just 15% of early-phase seminomas and 20-40% of NSGCT (non-seminomatous germ cell tumors) will certainly secrete HCG.
• Also in cases of advanced (metastatic spread to lymph nodes or various other sites) testicular cancer, just concerning 50% of tumors (seminomas or NSGCT) will certainly secrete HCG.
In addition, HCG levels have to be relatively higher to be detected by the over-the-counter urine tests. Some urine pregnancy examinations will certainly detect HCG levels of twenty mIU/mL, however a lot of rely on levels >100 mIU/mL. Of the minority of testicular cancer patients whose tumors secrete HCG, numerous patients will certainly have actually HCG levels beneath the detecting capability of a house pregnancy test.
Therefore, HCG (and pregnancy tests) are an unreliable screening test for testicular cancer. If you feel an abnormality throughout testicular self-exam the very first thing you have to DO is contact a doctor and make an appointment. If the physician is concerned, an ultrasound (painless) and blood examinations (mostly painless) are the next right steps. If you’re curious while you wait, attempt a pregnancy test. If it’s good after that you understand the diagnosis and locate the nearest testicular cancer expert. If the pregnancy test is “negative” that does NOT necessarily mean that you do NOT have actually testicular cancer. Remember, upwards of 80% of testicular cancers will certainly NOT secrete HCG so do not rely on a house pregnancy test to prove you are cancer free!
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Dr. Phillip M. Pierorazio, M.D. is the Director of the Division of Testicular Cancer and functions along with a variety of testicular cancer advocacy teams about the country. He runs the testicular cancer “Go-Team” and coordinates the department’s research efforts in testicular cancer.
Photo: Johannes Jander/Flickr
