Significance of serum lactic dehydrogenase in stages B and C non-seminomatous testis tumors.
The incidence of initial elevations of total serum lactic dehydrogenase was 38 per cent in 21 patients with stage B disease and 65 per cent in 17 patients with stage C disease. Conversely, 62 per cent of patients with stage B disease and 35 per cent of patients with stage C disease had normal lactic dehydrogenase values, indicating that measurement of total serum lactic dehydrogenase lacks sensitivity as a useful biologic tumor marker in predicting the presence of tumor. However, there were no falsely positive elevations in these patients--all patients with persistent elevations after therapy have either died or have progressive disease. Therefore, it would seem from our study that total serum lactic dehydrogenase should be measured initially in all patients with advanced disease (stages B3 and C). When elevated, serial measurements will indicate response to therapy. The presence of a persistent elevation of lactic dehydrogenase suggests that current conventional therapeutic modalities are ineffective and alternative therapy should be instituted.
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000097:blood*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013724:Teratoma / Q000201:enzymology; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology*
D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase