Serum hormone levels in patients with malignant testicular germ cell tumours without clinical and/or radiological signs of tumour.
In patients treated for malignant testicular tumours without clinical and/or radiological signs of tumour, the following serum hormone levels were found: In 15% of the patients there was a slight to moderate rise in luteinising hormone (LH) levels (up to 6 micrograms/l) due to increased pituitary gonadotrophin production; this was particularly evident soon after radiotherapy/chemotherapy. In 50% of the patients there was a slight to marked increase in follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels (up to 11 micrograms/l), especially after radiotherapy/chemotherapy. Serum testosterone levels were in the low range (up to 20 nmol/l) in the majority of the hemicastrated patients regardless of previous treatment. A slight to moderate rise in serum oestradiol-17 beta and serum prolactin levels was noted. During combination chemotherapy with vincristine, Adriamycin D, cyclophosphamide, actinomycin D and medroxyprogesterone acetate the serum testosterone levels were extremely low (below 6 nmol/l) with LH and FSH levels within the normal range. The decrease in testosterone levels was reversible after completion of the combination chemotherapy.
D002369:Castration; D004407:Dysgerminoma / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*
D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone