title: Serum gonadotropin levels in patients with germ-cell tumors of the testis: interrelations, possible cross-reactions and interpretation of beta-HCG level.
abstract: The concentration of FSH, LH, LTH, testosterone and beta-hCG was estimated in 177 serum samples from 86 patients with malignant germ-cell tumors of the testis. The objectives of the investigation were the following: the detection of interrelations of hypophyseal gonadotropins at different beta-hCG levels; the determination of the significance of borderline values of beta-hCG; the analysis of the effect of elevated concentrations of beta-hCG on pituitary gonadotropins: the detection of possible cross-reactions during gonadotropin determinations. The RIA method was used to estimate levels of three gonadotropins. The results revealed that there was no cross-reaction between FSH and beta-hCG at RIA assays. When the serum level of beta-hCG of tumor origin exceeded 100 U/l a subtotal inhibition of FSH secretion was observed. Pathologically increased values of beta-hCG were found not only in serum with subnormal-FSH levels, but also when FSH levels were excessively elevated (exceeding 50 U/l). In the latter case the elevated beta-hCG levels could possibly be the consequence of the secretion of beta subunits by the hypophysis or a cross-reaction with LH, and not of a tumor. With values of beta-hCG over 100 U/l cross-reaction with LH occurs, so the true LH levels cannot be assessed. For an adequate interpretation of elevated values of beta-hCG in the serum (i.e. whether they are tumor-derived or not), it is necessary to have values of FSH from the same serum sample.
authors.affiliation: Department for Disseminated Malignant Disorders and Malignant Hemopathies, Institute for Oncology and Radiology, Belgrade, Yugoslavia.
authors.forename: V N
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Kovcin
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Jelić
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Ivanović
authors.forename: N L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Babović
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000652:urine; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000097:blood*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003429:Cross Reactions; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003609:Dactinomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D018237:Germinoma / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D006062:Gonadotropins; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D006062:Gonadotropins; D001761:Bleomycin; D003609:Dactinomycin; D013739:Testosterone; D014747:Vinblastine; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D002945:Cisplatin