SERUM LEVELS OF ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN, HUMAN CHORIONIC-GONADOTROPIN AND CARCINOEMBRYONIC ANTIGEN IN PATIENTS WITH PRIMARY INTRA-CRANICAL GERM-CELL TUMORS

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 1  (4-5) , 235-240
Abstract
Serum levels of .alpha.-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were determined by radioimmunoassay in 14 patients with primary intracranial germ cell tumors in the pineal and/or chiasmal region; the relationship between AFP, HCG and CEA levels, tumor histopathology and survival time was studied. In 7 patients, elevation of AFP and/or HCG was noted. Histopathological diagnosis of these patients was embryonal carcinoma (1), choriocarcinomas (2) and seminoma (4). Five of the 7 patients died within 2 yr after diagnosis despite surgery and/or radiation therapy. Seven patients who showed normal AFP and HCG levels consisted of 6 germinomas and 1 teratoma. Four of the 7 patients remain alive and well > 5 yr after surgery and/or radiation therapy. CEA was above normal in only 1 patient with a seminoma. The serum levels of AFP and HCG apparently are useful for predicting tumor histopathology and the prognosis of patients with primary intracranial germ cell tumors.