Urology>>>>>Testicular Cancer
Question 4#

Regarding tumour markers in testicular cancer, which of the following is TRUE?

A. HCG has a half-life of 5–7 days
B. AFP has a half-life of 48–72 hours
C. In non-seminomatous germ cell tumours an HCG of 5,000 confers poor prognosis
D. Pure seminomas never secrete AFP
E. In seminomas an HCG >50,000 confers poor prognosis

Correct Answer is D

Comment:

Answer D

HCG has a half-life is 48–72 hours whereas AFP has a half-life of 3–5 days. HCG level of 5,000–50,000 confers intermediate prognosis in the IGCCCT prognostic grouping and there is no poor prognostic group for pure seminomas.