Cancer Marker Profile (Testicular) Immunoassay Blood

Cancer marker profile (Testicular) Immunoassay Blood is used to detect whether an individual is having testicular cancer or not.

What is Testicular cancer?

Testicular cancer is a type of cancer which originates in one or two testicles. Testicles are the male reproductive glands that are responsible for producing sperm and the hormone testosterone. So, in testicular cancer, a germ cell tumor occurs. HCG, AFP and LDH levels are increased in case of testicular cancer or germ cell tumor.

What are AFP and HCG?

Alpha-Fetoprotein AFP is a protein produced by the liver of a developing baby (fetus) and developing an embryo. It is produced when liver cells are regenerating. It circulates through the fetal and maternal blood. AFP is still present in the individuals who are not pregnant. This is also found in the peoples who are suffering from certain cancer types such as hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer), testicular cancer, ovarian cancer. AFP is one of the several tumor markers.

HCG Human Chorionic Gonadotropin is a hormone by some type of cells present in the placenta. The placenta is an organ which is developed in the uterus during pregnancy. This attaches to the uterus wall and provides nutrients, oxygen to the growing baby. It also removes the waste products from the blood of the growing baby.

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin HCG is found in both men and women. HCG is important in maintaining the function of corpus luteum. HCG helps the corpus luteum to make changes in the uterus for implantation of the fertilized ovum or egg and the nourishment of the embryo.

Why this test is performed?

This test is performed to find whether an individual is having testicular cancer or not. Your doctor may ask to perform this test if you experience any signs and symptoms such as pain in the testicles, breast growth, early puberty in boys, dull pain in the abdomen or groin etc.

This test is recommended by the physician to check the effectiveness of the treatment of cancer. This also helps the physician to plan the treatment for an individual who is having testicular cancer.

Pathology Test parameters:

This test includes the following parameters: AFP and HCG.

The normal reference range may vary depending on gender, age, health history, etc.

If your test results show high levels of HCG and AFP than the given normal reference range, it may indicate that the person is most likely to have testicular cancer or germ cell tumor.

If your test results are lower or in the normal range, it may indicate that the person is unlikely to have testicular cancer.

Based on the test results, your doctor may advise appropriate medical treatments, lifestyle modifications, or further diagnostic tests.