BACKGROUND: Simultaneous determinations of human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (hCG) and hCG-beta frequently produce discrepancies, that is when hCG or hCG-beta is normal, the other is elevated. Accordingly, we examined the significance of simultaneous determination of serum hCG and hCG-beta in testicular tumors. METHODS: Simultaneous determination of hCG and hCG-beta was performed in 54 patients with testicular seminoma and 74 with non-seminomatous testicular tumors. RESULTS: For detection of seminoma patients, hCG-beta was more effective than hCG because hCG-beta was positive in 83% (45/54) of the patients and hCG was positive in 50% (27/54). In non-seminomatous testicular tumor cases, hCG-beta was positive in 74% (55/74) and hCG was positive in 82% (61/74). The cases of hCG<1.0 mIU/mL and HCG-beta>0.1 ng/mL were significantly more frequently seen in patients with seminoma than in those with non-seminomatous testicular tumor (P < 0.001). Fourteen patients had recurrent tumor. At recurrence, only hCG was elevated in nine cases, only hCG-beta was elevated in two cases and both in one case. For diagnosis of falsely positive hCG, testosterone administration was effective because after testosterone administration, serum hCG levels became undetectable (< 1.0 mIU/mL) within one week in three examined cases. CONCLUSION: Human chorionic gonadotropin-beta was a better marker of seminoma than hCG. For earlier detection of recurrence, both markers should be examined. For diagnosis of falsely positive hCG, testosterone administration was effective.
BACKGROUND: Simultaneous determinations of human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (hCG) and hCG-beta frequently produce discrepancies, that is when hCG or hCG-beta is normal, the other is elevated. Accordingly, we examined the significance of simultaneous determination of serum hCG and hCG-beta in testicular tumors. METHODS: Simultaneous determination of hCG and hCG-beta was performed in 54 patients with testicular seminoma and 74 with non-seminomatous testicular tumors. RESULTS: For detection of seminomapatients, hCG-beta was more effective than hCG because hCG-beta was positive in 83% (45/54) of the patients and hCG was positive in 50% (27/54). In non-seminomatous testicular tumor cases, hCG-beta was positive in 74% (55/74) and hCG was positive in 82% (61/74). The cases of hCG<1.0 mIU/mL and HCG-beta>0.1 ng/mL were significantly more frequently seen in patients with seminoma than in those with non-seminomatous testicular tumor (P < 0.001). Fourteen patients had recurrent tumor. At recurrence, only hCG was elevated in nine cases, only hCG-beta was elevated in two cases and both in one case. For diagnosis of falsely positive hCG, testosterone administration was effective because after testosterone administration, serum hCG levels became undetectable (< 1.0 mIU/mL) within one week in three examined cases. CONCLUSION:Human chorionic gonadotropin-beta was a better marker of seminoma than hCG. For earlier detection of recurrence, both markers should be examined. For diagnosis of falsely positive hCG, testosterone administration was effective.