Testicular cancer accounts for about 1 percent of all cancers in men and is the most prevalent type of cancer in younger men. With early detection and treatment, testicular cancer has a very high survival rate: About 95 percent of patients with testicular cancer live five years or more.
Testicular Cancer
Testicular cancer arises in the cells of the testicle. The cancer can arise from "germ cells" in the testis, the cells that produce sperm, or from other cells that help support the germ cells. Germ cell tumors are divided into two main subtypes: seminomatous tumors and non-seminomatous germ cell tumors. Differentiating these two types of cancers is very important -- they are treated differently and may have different prognoses.
Beta-HCG
Beta-HCG is "beta human chorionic gonadotropin," a hormone produced by primitive cells called trophoblasts. Trophoblasts are important cells in human development. In pregnancy, these cells form the placenta, which supports and nourishes the developing embryo. Trophoblast cells may also be found in testicular tumors.
Beta-HCG and Cancer
Certain types of testicular cancers produce beta-HCG. The hormone is more commonly secreted in non-seminomatous germ cell tumors. Choriocarcinoma, a type of non-seminomatous germ cell tumor, always secretes beta-HCG. Occasionally, seminomas may secrete beta-HCG.
Measurement
The presence of beta-HCG in a man is always abnormal. A positive beta-HCG test may indicate the presence of a testicular cancer, specifically, a non-seminomatous germ cell tumor. Although a diagnosis of testicular cancer cannot be made based upon a blood test -- examination of the cells under a microscope is necessary -- a beta-HCG test is important for other reasons.
Uses
Beta-HCG can be used to measure response to treatment. If the level of beta-HCG in a man with testicular cancer decreases while he is being treated with chemotherapy or radiation therapy, the tumor may be responding to the treatment and shrinking; if the level of beta-HCG stays the same or increases, the tumor may not be responding to therapy.
The beta-HCG test can also be used for staging. A high level of beta-HCG in the blood of a man with testicular cancer may indicate that a large amount of cancer is present in the body. This may mean that the tumor has spread to other parts of the body and needs to be treated aggressively.
In addition, beta-HCG can be used to detect recurrence in a patient previously treated for testicular cancer. If the levels of the hormone fall to zero after treatment is complete and then begin to rise again, the tumor has most likely recurred.
