Should an Elevated Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Titer Alter Therapy for Seminoma?

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Abstract
The clinical courses of 55 patients with pure seminoma of the testis were reviewed to determine the influence of elevated levels of .beta.-human chorionic gonadotropin on prognosis. Of 44 patients with stage I and 11 with stage IIA seminomas 42 and 36%, respectively, had elevated gonadotropin levels after orchiectomy and before radiotherapy. At followup, ranging from 12-64 mo., 54 patients (98%) were free of disease. It was concluded that an elevated gonadotropin level after orchiectomy is not a significant prognostic indicator and that these patients should be treated with standard radiotherapy techniques.