Testicular Marker Profile Test

Testicular Marker Profile measures the HCG Beta and AFP levels in the blood serum.

• The test is useful for the screening of testicular cancer. The test should not be used in isolation but along with other specialized investigations and clinical correlation. 
• For monitoring treatment and relapse in patients with testicular cancers.
• The test may be used as a prognostic marker following cancer surgeries.
• To know the stage of cancer as well as the metastasis status
• The test can help detect recurrence, metastasis and residual cancer: This may even include patients with a history of cancer of other organs like prostate, lung etc.

People with the following symptoms which may be indicative of testicular cancers should undergo testing:

• Abnormal lump or mass around the testis.
• Scrotal swelling or pain.
• Dull aching pain in the groin
• Previous cancer history
• Family history of prostate or testicular cancers.

This test requires a blood sample. A tourniquet (elastic) band is placed tightly on the upper arm. The patient is then asked to make a fist. This helps in the build-up of blood filling the veins. The skin is disinfected before needle insertion and the blood sample is collected in vacutainer.

No special precautions.

AFP-Alpha Feto Protein Test (AFP Test)

High AFP levels can be seen in hepatocellular carcinoma, non-seminomatous germ cell tumors and yolk sac tumors of the ovary. This test should not be used for diagnosis of cancer in isolation, as both false positive and negatives can occur.

HCG Beta Subunit Serum Test

High levels may occur in certain cases of testicular cancers.

False high or low levels may occur due to certain interferences by non-HCg substances.

• HCG test
• AFP test

AFP is normally made by a foetal liver and yolk sac. The test is done as part of cancer diagnosis to know the liver or pancreatic involvement due to cancer.

Human chorionic gonadotropin [HCG] is a hormone produced by the placenta mainly during pregnancy. In patients with cancer or undergoing treatment these levels may be helpful in the diagnosis of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD), testicular tumors, ovarian germ cell tumors, teratomas, and, rarely, other human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-secreting tumors.